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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
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    Every genuine moral obligation entails the possibility of... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Moral dilemmas are possible

    Every genuine moral obligation entails the possibility of fulfillment, since 'ought' implies 'can' (Kant's principle).

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

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Moral obligations serve to guide action; obligating the impossible treats morality as mere fantasy rather than practical guidance.
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    • 2.We rationally exempt people from obligations they cannot fulfill (e.g., disabled individuals), suggesting possibility is a conceptual requirement.
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    • 3.Blaming someone for failing an impossible obligation is incoherent—blame presupposes the agent could have done otherwise.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Moral obligations can be collective or long-term; even if I individually cannot succeed now, fulfillment through others or future effort may be possible.
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    • 2.Impossibility is context-dependent and epistemically fragile; what seems impossible may become possible with effort, so the principle proves too much.
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    • 3.We do assign genuine obligations regarding difficult character development (honesty, compassion) whose fulfillment remains uncertain and partial.
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    Connections

    2 topics

    Justice & Punishment1 linkedMoral Responsibility1 linked

    Related

    Blaming someone for failing an impossible obligation is incoherent—blame presupp...Impossibility is context-dependent and epistemically fragile; what seems impossi...Moral dilemmas are possibleMoral obligations can be collective or long-term; even if I individually cannot ...
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    Moral obligations serve to guide action; obligating the impossible treats morali...We do assign genuine obligations regarding difficult character development (hone...We rationally exempt people from obligations they cannot fulfill (e.g., disabled...

    Details

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