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    An ethical theory whose action-guidance undermines its ow... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→The self-effacement objection does not seriously undermine virtue ethics.

    An ethical theory whose action-guidance undermines its own constitutive motivations is seriously, not trivially, compromised.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Ethical theories aim to guide action toward their underlying values; self-undermining guidance indicates the theory fails at its core function.
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    • 2.When a theory's prescriptions contradict what motivates it, users cannot rationally endorse both the theory and following its guidance.
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    • 3.Internal coherence is a basic requirement for any normative system; self-defeating theories lack the rational integrity ethics demands.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Theories can have good content even if their application sometimes backfires; real-world friction doesn't prove fundamental theoretical failure.
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    • 2.Many valuable commitments (honesty, justice) require actions contrary to immediate motivation; this is feature, not flaw, of mature ethics.
      ?

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    • 3.Distinguishing 'constitutive motivations' from 'actions' assumes motivations are determinate and transparent, which is often philosophically unclear.
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    Virtue Ethics1 linked

    Related

    Distinguishing 'constitutive motivations' from 'actions' assumes motivations are...Ethical theories aim to guide action toward their underlying values; self-underm...Internal coherence is a basic requirement for any normative system; self-defeati...Many valuable commitments (honesty, justice) require actions contrary to immedia...
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    The self-effacement objection does not seriously undermine virtue ethics.Theories can have good content even if their application sometimes backfires; re...When a theory's prescriptions contradict what motivates it, users cannot rationa...

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