Reflective Equilibrium

Definition

Reflective equilibrium is a state of balance or coherence between an individual's moral principles, intuitions, and the specific moral judgments they make. It involves a back-and-forth process of adjusting one's moral beliefs and principles to align with considered moral judgments, and vice versa, in order to achieve a consistent and justified ethical framework.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reflective equilibrium is a central concept in John Rawls' A Theory of Justice, where it is used to justify his principles of justice.
2. The process of achieving reflective equilibrium involves critically examining one's moral intuitions and principles, and revising them to resolve any inconsistencies or conflicts.
3. Reflective equilibrium is an ongoing process, as new moral dilemmas or experiences may require further adjustment of one's ethical framework.
4. Achieving reflective equilibrium is considered important for developing a coherent and justifiable moral system that can guide decision-making in complex situations.
5. Reflective equilibrium is seen as a way to balance the role of moral intuitions and moral principles in ethical reasoning, rather than relying solely on one or the other.

Review Questions

• Explain the concept of reflective equilibrium and how it is used in Rawls' A Theory of Justice.
  • Reflective equilibrium is the state of balance or coherence between an individual's moral principles, intuitions, and the specific moral judgments they make. In A Theory of Justice, Rawls uses the concept of reflective equilibrium to justify his principles of justice, which are derived through a process of critically examining and adjusting one's moral intuitions and principles until they align in a consistent and justified ethical framework. This back-and-forth process of revising one's beliefs and judgments is central to Rawls' approach to developing a fair and impartial theory of justice.
• Describe the role of moral intuitions and moral principles in the process of achieving reflective equilibrium.
  • Reflective equilibrium involves balancing the influence of moral intuitions and moral principles in ethical reasoning. Moral intuitions are immediate, gut-level reactions to the moral status of an action or situation, while moral principles are the fundamental moral rules or guidelines that an individual uses to evaluate the rightness or wrongness of actions. The process of achieving reflective equilibrium requires critically examining one's moral intuitions and principles, and revising them as necessary to resolve any inconsistencies or conflicts between the two. This iterative process of adjusting one's beliefs and judgments is crucial for developing a coherent and justifiable moral system that can guide decision-making in complex situations.
• Analyze the importance of reflective equilibrium in the context of ethical decision-making and the development of a comprehensive moral framework.
  • Reflective equilibrium is considered essential for ethical decision-making and the development of a comprehensive moral framework. By engaging in the process of critically examining one's moral intuitions and principles, and revising them to achieve a state of balance and consistency, individuals can develop a justified ethical system that can guide their actions and judgments in complex moral situations. Reflective equilibrium allows for the integration of moral intuitions, which are shaped by one's experiences and cultural context, with moral principles, which provide a more systematic and impartial framework for evaluating the rightness or wrongness of actions. This iterative process of adjusting one's beliefs and judgments is crucial for ensuring that one's moral framework is coherent, justifiable, and able to withstand scrutiny. Ultimately, the pursuit of reflective equilibrium is seen as a key component of moral reasoning and the development of a comprehensive ethical framework that can be applied to a wide range of moral dilemmas.

Related terms

Moral Intuitions: Immediate, gut-level reactions or feelings about the moral status of an action or situation, often shaped by one's upbringing, culture, and experiences.

Moral Principles: Fundamental moral rules or guidelines that an individual or society uses to evaluate the rightness or wrongness of actions, such as utilitarianism or deontological ethics.

Moral Judgment: A reasoned evaluation of the moral status of a specific action or situation, made by applying one's moral principles and intuitions.