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A code for perfectly moral beings presupposes the very vi... — Carmelics

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Supports→Even if an ideal moral code for perfectly moral humans could be conceptualized, it would be normatively inadequate

A code for perfectly moral beings presupposes the very virtuous dispositions that moral guidance is needed to cultivate, rendering it action-guiding only for those who need no guidance.

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Reasons For

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Reason for

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1.Moral codes presuppose understanding of virtues like justice and courage that only the already virtuous fully comprehend and embody.
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2.Guidance works only when recipients can recognize its value and act on it—capacities requiring the virtuous dispositions the code aims to instill.
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3.A vicious person lacks the perceptual and motivational resources to be moved by even perfect moral instruction.
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Reasons Against

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Reason against

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1.Moral codes can guide behavior through external incentives and habit formation even without internal virtue understanding or motivation.
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2.Partial understanding of virtue suffices for guidance; one need not already possess a virtue to be directed toward developing it.
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3.The claim conflates what a code presupposes metaphysically with what it requires psychologically from its audience to be action-guiding.
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Key Terms

Action-guiding(as used in ethics): Capable of actually helping someone decide what to do in a real situation, rather than being purely theoretical.
Presupposes(as describing what Plantinga's argument takes for granted): Assumes something to be true without proving it—like how an argument might presuppose that logic works, without first arguing that logic is valid.
Virtuous dispositions(described as necessary preconditions): Stable habits or character traits that make you naturally inclined to act well—like being honest, brave, or fair. They're called 'dispositions' because they're built-in tendencies you've developed over time.
moral guidance(in ethics): Instructions, rules, or advice meant to help people figure out how to behave ethically and do what's right.

Connections

2 topics

Consequentialism1 linked Virtue Ethics1 linked

Related

A vicious person lacks the perceptual and motivational resources to be moved by ...Even if an ideal moral code for perfectly moral humans could be conceptualized, ...Guidance works only when recipients can recognize its value and act on it—capaci...Moral codes can guide behavior through external incentives and habit formation e...

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Moral codes presuppose understanding of virtues like justice and courage that on...Partial understanding of virtue suffices for guidance; one need not already poss...

Details

Type: claim
Perspectives: 2 (1 for, 1 against)
Edits: 1 edit

The claim conflates what a code presupposes metaphysically with what it requires...