Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Without a privileged partition, the symmetry argument for... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→The a priori probability that a given property P has the second-order property of being a rightmaking property of weight W is equal to the a priori probability that P has the second-order property of being a wrongmaking property of weight W.

    Without a privileged partition, the symmetry argument for equal a priori probabilities between rightmaking and wrongmaking properties is undermined by the very formal framework it invokes.

    ?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.Symmetry arguments require a neutral reference frame; without specifying which partition is privileged, the framework assumes what it should justify.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Rightmaking and wrongmaking properties are asymmetrical in moral metaphysics; treating them symmetrically begs the question against their structural difference.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Formal systems collapse into indeterminacy when applied to asymmetric domains without explicit privileged structure; equal priors then reflect framework poverty, not reality.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Symmetry arguments work precisely by avoiding privileged partitions; appealing to one when needed is principled pragmatism, not logical circularity.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The claim conflates 'privileged partition' with 'arbitrary partition'; epistemic constraints may justify equal priors without metaphysical privilege.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Moral properties may appear asymmetrical only relative to contingent concerns; a formal framework showing deeper symmetry would advance, not undermine, the argument.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Key Terms

    Formal framework(as the coherent structure containing ε₀)
    A precise system of symbols, rules, and definitions that allows you to make logical arguments without ambiguity, like a game with explicitly stated moves.
    Symmetry argument(as used in arguments about the harm of death)
    An argument that says if two situations are mirror images of each other in relevant ways, they should be treated the same way—in this case, the time before you were born and the time after you die should be viewed identically.
    a priori probabilities(epistemology (how we know things))
    Chances or likelihood of something being true that we can figure out just by thinking about it, before we look at any real-world evidence.
    privileged partition(metaphysics and logic)
    A special way of dividing up or grouping things that has a good reason for being the 'correct' way, rather than one choice among many equally valid options.
    rightmaking properties(explaining what makes an action ethically justified)
    The features or characteristics of an action that make it morally right or good.
    wrongmaking properties(explaining what makes an action ethically problematic)
    The features or characteristics of an action that make it morally wrong or bad.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Problem of Evil1 linked

    Related

    Formal systems collapse into indeterminacy when applied to asymmetric domains wi...Moral properties may appear asymmetrical only relative to contingent concerns; a...Rightmaking and wrongmaking properties are asymmetrical in moral metaphysics; tr...Symmetry arguments require a neutral reference frame; without specifying which p...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    +3 moreShow less
    Symmetry arguments work precisely by avoiding privileged partitions; appealing t...The a priori probability that a given property P has the second-order property o...The claim conflates 'privileged partition' with 'arbitrary partition'; epistemic...