Reflective Equilibrium

Definition

Reflective equilibrium is a method of philosophical reasoning where an individual critically examines and adjusts their moral beliefs and principles in light of considered judgments about specific situations or cases. It involves a back-and-forth process of refining one's ethical views to achieve a coherent and justified set of moral beliefs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Reflective equilibrium is a central concept in the work of the philosopher John Rawls, who used it to develop his theory of justice.
2. The process of reflective equilibrium involves constantly adjusting one's moral principles and considered judgments to achieve a consistent and justified set of ethical beliefs.
3. Reflective equilibrium emphasizes the importance of considering specific cases or situations in addition to abstract moral principles when developing one's ethical framework.
4. Achieving reflective equilibrium is an ongoing process, as new information or experiences may prompt further refinement of one's moral beliefs.
5. Reflective equilibrium is a key tool for philosophers in arriving at moral truth, as it allows for the critical examination and justification of one's ethical views.

Review Questions

• Explain how the process of reflective equilibrium helps philosophers arrive at moral truth.
  • The process of reflective equilibrium allows philosophers to critically examine their moral beliefs and principles in light of considered judgments about specific situations or cases. By constantly adjusting their ethical views to achieve a coherent and justified set of beliefs, philosophers can arrive at a more reliable and well-reasoned understanding of moral truth. The back-and-forth between general principles and particular cases helps to refine and strengthen one's ethical framework, leading to a more comprehensive and defensible set of moral beliefs.
• Describe the role of considered judgments in the reflective equilibrium process.
  • Considered judgments, which are carefully considered moral intuitions or judgments about the rightness or wrongness of particular actions or situations, play a crucial role in the reflective equilibrium process. These considered judgments serve as a starting point for the examination and refinement of one's moral principles. By comparing their moral principles to these considered judgments, philosophers can identify inconsistencies or areas where their beliefs may need to be adjusted. This iterative process of aligning one's principles with their considered judgments, and vice versa, is at the heart of achieving reflective equilibrium and developing a justified set of ethical beliefs.
• Analyze how the concept of coherence relates to the goal of reflective equilibrium.
  • The concept of coherence is central to the goal of reflective equilibrium. Achieving reflective equilibrium involves developing a set of moral beliefs and principles that are logically and consistently connected as a system. By constantly refining one's ethical views to ensure they are coherent, philosophers can arrive at a more justified and defensible moral framework. Coherence requires that an individual's moral principles and considered judgments do not contradict one another, but rather form a unified and well-reasoned ethical perspective. The pursuit of coherence is what drives the reflective equilibrium process, as philosophers seek to align their moral beliefs into a cohesive and justified whole.

Related terms

Considered Judgments: Carefully considered moral intuitions or judgments about the rightness or wrongness of particular actions or situations.

Moral Principles: General moral rules or guidelines that help guide an individual's ethical decision-making.

Coherence: The quality of being logically and consistently connected or integrated as a system of beliefs or principles.