What is prudentially rational for each person individually need not be morally binding on an impartial collective standard, as Sidgwick himself acknowledged in the 'dualism of practical reason'.

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Reasons For

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Reason for

1.Self-interested rationality aims at individual flourishing; impartial morality aims at equal consideration. These goals can conflict fundamentally.
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2.Sidgwick showed that reason itself generates two distinct practical principles with no logical bridge between them, not merely psychological tension.
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3.A coherent moral theory need not require that individual prudential reasoning dissolve into collective standards to remain genuinely rational.
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Reasons Against

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Reason against

1.If prudential rationality is truly rational, morality cannot categorically override it without morality being irrational or non-binding.
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2.The dualism suggests practical reason is self-undermining: no unified conception of rationality can accommodate genuine rational conflicts.
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3.Most moral theories assume impartial standards should constrain individual prudence; accepting their independence weakens moral justification itself.
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Key Terms

Dualism of Practical Reason(Used to describe the ethical problem that Absolute Idealism was hoped to dissolve but, on the author's argument, fails to resolve.): The condition in which moral rightness and prudential rightness sometimes conflict, and no overriding reason exists to prefer one over the other.
Impartial collective standard(describing objective ethical principles): A rule or principle for judging actions that treats everyone equally and fairly, rather than favoring any particular person or group.
Morally binding(describing ethical obligations): Something that creates a duty or obligation based on what's right or wrong, not just what benefits you personally.
Prudentially rational(describing individual self-interest): Acting in a way that's smart for your own personal interests and well-being, like choosing to save money instead of spending it all now.
Sidgwick: Henry Sidgwick (1838-1900) was a British philosopher who made important contributions to ethics, particularly by arguing that morality should be based on reason and impartial concern for everyone's well-being rather than just following traditions or religious rules. He is famous for developing "utilitarianism," the idea that the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. His work remains influential in moral philosophy and practical ethics today because he thoughtfully addressed how we should balance our own interests with our obligations to others.
knowledge(Distinguished from mere true belief, which may be the product of indoctrination and need not exercise deliberative capacities.): Justified true belief — true belief that has been arrived at through the exercise of deliberative capacities, including comparison of and deliberation among alternatives.

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Consequentialism1 linked

A coherent moral theory need not require that individual prudential reasoning di...Happiness as such is a good to the aggregate of persons If prudential rationality is truly rational, morality cannot categorically overr...Most moral theories assume impartial standards should constrain individual prude...

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