Value pluralism

In ethics, value pluralism (also known as ethical pluralism or moral pluralism) is the idea that there are several values which may be equally correct and fundamental, and yet in conflict with each other. In addition, value-pluralism postulates that in many cases, such incompatible values may be incommensurable, in the sense that there is no objective ordering of them in terms of importance. Value pluralism is opposed to value monism, which states that all other forms of value can be commensured with or reduced to a single form.

Value-pluralism is a theory in metaethics, rather than a theory of normative ethics, or a set of values in itself. Oxford philosopher and historian of ideas Isaiah Berlin is credited with being the first to popularize a substantial work describing the theory of objective value-pluralism, bringing it to the attention of academia (cf. the Isaiah Berlin Virtual Library). The related idea that fundamental values can and, in some cases, do conflict with each other is prominent in the thought of Max Weber, captured in his notion of "polytheism".[1]

Context

Value-pluralism is an alternative to both moral relativism and moral absolutism (which Berlin called monism).[2] An example of value-pluralism is the idea that the moral life of a nun is incompatible with that of a mother, yet there is no purely rational measure of which is preferable. Hence, values are a means to an end. Furthermore, moral decisions often take radical preferences because people’s needs differ. Moral decisions are made with varying rational calculuses that determine moral values attributed to the moral facts.

Value-pluralism differs from value-relativism in that pluralism accepts limits to differences, such as when vital human needs are violated.[3] Political scientists have often referred to societies as being pluralistic on the basis of the existence of several competing value systems. Littunen says that such societies exhibit value pluralism.[4]

If values can be compared with virtues or duties then reference might also be made to the arguments of classical philosophy. Kant, for example, referred to "a conflict of duties"[5] and the subject can be traced back to Plato's Statesman where he wrote that although the aim may be "to promote not a part of virtue but the whole", it is often the case that the different parts of virtue "may be at war with one another".[6]

Adherents

Isaiah Berlin suggested that James Fitzjames Stephen, rather than himself, deserved credit for fathering value-pluralism.[7] Stephen had observed:

"There are innumerable differences which obviously add to the interest of life, and without which it would be unendurably dull. Again, there are differences which can neither be left unsettled nor be settled without a struggle, and a real one, but in regard to which the struggle is rather between inconsistent forms of good than between good and evil. In cases of this sort no one need see an occasion for anything more than a good-tempered trial of strength and skill, except those narrow-minded fanatics whose minds are incapable of taking in more than one idea at a time, or of having a taste for more things than one, which one thing is generally a trifle. There is no surer mark of a poor, contemptible, cowardly character than the inability to conduct disputes of this sort with fairness, temper, humanity, goodwill to antagonists, and a determination to accept a fair defeat in good part and to make the best of it."[8]

William James, influenced by Fitzjames Stephen, endorsed value-pluralism in an essay on "The Moral Philosopher and the Moral Life", which he first delivered as a lecture in 1891. He wrote that none "of the measures [of goodness] that have been actually proposed has, however, given general satisfaction ... The various ideals have no common character apart from the fact that they are ideals. No single abstract principle can be so used as to yield to the philosopher anything like a scientifically accurate and genuinely useful casuistic scale."

Joseph Raz and many others have done further work clarifying and defending value-pluralism. For instance, political philosopher William Galston, former policy advisor to President Bill Clinton, has defended a Berlinian approach to value pluralism in books like Liberal Pluralism.[9]

Social psychologist Philip E. Tetlock, studies[10][11] and identifies with[12] value pluralism.

Criticisms

The philosopher Charles Blattberg, who was Berlin's student, has advanced an important critique of Berlin's value-pluralism. Blattberg focuses on value-pluralism's applications to Marx, the Russian intelligentsia, Judaism, and Berlin's early political thought, as well as Berlin's conceptions of liberty, the Enlightenment versus the Counter-Enlightenment, and history.

Another notable critic of value-pluralism in recent times is Ronald Dworkin, the second most-cited American legal scholar, who attempts to forge a liberal theory of equality from a monist starting-point, citing the failure of value-pluralism to adequately address the "Equality of what?" debate.

Alan Brown suggests that Berlin ignores the fact that values are indeed commensurable as they can be compared by their varying contributions towards the human good.[13] Regarding the ends of freedom, equality, efficiency, creativity, etc., Brown maintains that none of these are ends in themselves but are valued for their consequences. Brown concludes that Berlin has failed to show that the problem of conflicting values is insoluble in principle.[13] The deliberative democrat Robert Talisse has published several articles criticizing the pluralism of Isaiah Berlin, William Galston, Richard Flathman, and John Gray, alleging informal logic and internal epistemological contradictions.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Max Weber". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Max Weber. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University. 2022.
  2. ^ Cherniss, Joshua; Hardy, Henry (2013-11-29). "Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Isaiah Berlin". Retrieved 2015-01-16.
  3. ^ Crowder, George (2002). Liberalism and Value Pluralism. London: Continuum. ISBN 0-8264-5048-2.
  4. ^ Kazemzadeh, Hamed (2020). "Hamed Kazemzadeh: Democratic platform in Social Pluralism". Internal Journal of ACPCS (10).
  5. ^ Kant I. Critique of Practical Reason 1788 (tr. Abbott T.K., Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1883) p.280
  6. ^ Plato Statesman 306; cf. Laws 705, Republic 443
  7. ^ Blattberg, Charles (1996). "An Exchange with Professor Sir Isaiah Berlin" (PDF). The Isaiah Berlin Literary Trust.
  8. ^ Stephen, James Fitzjames (1874). Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
  9. ^ Liberal Pluralism: The Implications of Value Pluralism for Political Theory and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2002-05-13. ISBN 9780521813044.
  10. ^ Tetlock, P.E.; Peterson, R.; Lerner, J. (2009). "Revising the value pluralism model: Incorporating social content and context postulates". Ontario Symposium on Social and Personality Psychology: Values.
  11. ^ Tetlock, P.E. (1986). "A value pluralism model of ideological reasoning". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 50 (4): 819–827. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.50.4.819.
  12. ^ Haidt, Jonathan (February 11, 2011). "The bright future of post-partisan social psychology". edge.org.
  13. ^ a b Brown, A. (1986) Modern Political Philosophy; Theories of the Just Society, Middlesex, Penguin Books pp. 157–158

Further reading

Read other articles:

Meizu M3E(Meizu E в Китаї)Виробник MeizuГасло Колір, який ви бажаєтеСерія M/EМодель A680QСумісні мережі GSM, 3G 4G (LTE)Дата представлення 10 серпня 2016; 7 років тому (2016-08-10)Наступник Meizu E2Схожі моделі Meizu M3Meizu M3sMeizu M3 MaxMeizu M3 NoteMeizu M3xТип ФаблетФормфактор МоноблокРозміри 153.6 × 75.8 × 7.9 м�...

Kolkata Municipal Corporation in West Bengal, IndiaWard No. 141Kolkata Municipal CorporationInteractive Map Outlining Ward No. 141Ward No. 141Location in KolkataCoordinates: 22°33′16″N 88°15′16″E / 22.554417°N 88.254556°E / 22.554417; 88.254556Country IndiaStateWest BengalCityKolkataNeighbourhoodsBadartala, RajabaganReservationSCParliamentary constituencyDiamond HarbourAssembly constituencyMetiaburuzBorough15Population (2011) • Total41...

В Википедии есть статьи о других людях с фамилией Казинец. Исай Павлович Казинец Имя при рождении Исай Пинхусович Казинец Дата рождения 9 апреля 1910(1910-04-09) Место рождения Геническ Дата смерти 7 мая 1942(1942-05-07) (32 года) Место смерти Минск Гражданство  СССР Род деятел�...

American publisher (1827–1910) Orville James Victor Orville James Victor (October 23, 1827 – March 14, 1910) was an American writer and editor in chief.[1] Biography Victor was born in Sandusky, Ohio to Henry Clay Victor and Gertrude Nash Victor, and had seven siblings; his father operated a hotel in Sandusky.[2] He studied in the Norwalk Seminary and graduated in 1847. He decided to pursue writing as a profession and in 1852 was hired as an assistant-editor of the San...

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) WebSphere Application Server Community EditionDeveloper(s)IBMStable release3.0.0.4 / June 21, 2013 (2013-06-21) Written inJavaOperating systemCross-platformTypeApplication serverLicenseProprietary[1]Websitewww.ibm.com/websp...

1st episode of the 1st season of The Avengers Hot SnowThe Avengers episodeScreen titleEpisode no.Season 1Episode 1Directed byDon LeaverWritten byRay Rigby based on a story by Patrick BrawnProduced byLeonard WhiteFeatured musicJohn Dankworth (theme)Production code3365[1]Original air date7 January 1961 (1961-01-07)Guest appearances Catherine Woodville Philip Stone Robert James Godfrey Quigley Moira Redmond Murray Melvin Charles Wade Episode chronology ← Previo...

Теннер — термін, який має кілька значень. Ця сторінка значень містить посилання на статті про кожне з них.Якщо ви потрапили сюди за внутрішнім посиланням, будь ласка, поверніться та виправте його так, щоб воно вказувало безпосередньо на потрібну статтю.@ пошук посилань сам

Río Chico Nacientes del río, captados por Luis Jorge Fontana en la expedición de los Rifleros del Chubut.Ubicación geográficaCuenca Océano Atlántico (ahora endorreica)Nacimiento Lago Colhué HuapiDesembocadura Embalse Ameghino, río ChubutCoordenadas 45°36′43″S 68°36′07″O / -45.612, -68.602Ubicación administrativaPaís  ArgentinaDivisión  ChubutCuerpo de aguaLongitud 300 km aprox.Superficie de cuenca n/d km²Caudal medio n/d m³/sAltitud Nacimiento...

Цю статтю треба вікіфікувати для відповідності стандартам якості Вікіпедії. Будь ласка, допоможіть додаванням доречних внутрішніх посилань або вдосконаленням розмітки статті. (січень 2021) Правові системи Співдружності націй — сукупність національних правових сист

هذه المقالة بحاجة لصندوق معلومات. فضلًا ساعد في تحسين هذه المقالة بإضافة صندوق معلومات مخصص إليها. يفتقر محتوى هذه المقالة إلى الاستشهاد بمصادر. فضلاً، ساهم في تطوير هذه المقالة من خلال إضافة مصادر موثوق بها. أي معلومات غير موثقة يمكن التشكيك بها وإزالتها. (ديسمبر 2018) تبسيط ...

Національний музей історії Молдови 47°01′21″ пн. ш. 28°49′41″ сх. д. / 47.02259000002777611° пн. ш. 28.828080000028° сх. д. / 47.02259000002777611; 28.828080000028Координати: 47°01′21″ пн. ш. 28°49′41″ сх. д. / 47.02259000002777611° пн. ш. 28.828080000028° сх. д. / 47.02259000002...

Pittsburgh-based record label, 2008–2017 Modern Short StoriesFounded2008 (2008)FounderSteve Soboslai, Chris Fafalios, Amanda YuDefunct2017 (2017)GenrePop punkIndie rockCountry of originU.S.LocationPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaOfficial websitewww.modernshortstories.net Modern Short Stories is a Pittsburgh-based media label founded by Steve Soboslai and Chris Fafalios of the Pittsburgh pop punk band Punchline and friend Amanda Yu. Its slogan is Every song is a modern short story. History...

Mobil kancil pada jalur perakitan di PT INKA Kancil (singkatan dari Kendaraan Niaga Cilik Irit Lincah) merupakan merek dagang terdaftar dari sebuah kendaraan angkutan bermotor roda empat yang didesain, diproduksi dan dipasarkan oleh PT KANCIL (singkatan dari Karunia Abadi Niaga Citra Indah Lestari). Pernah diharapkan sebagai pengganti (peremajaan) bajaj dan bemo karena keduanya tidak diizinkan untuk bertambah jumlahnya atau diproduksi di wilayah Jakarta. Sebagai kendaraan angkutan lingkungan ...

Румунська кампаніяПершої Світової Війни Східний фронт[1]Перша світова війна Кронпринц Румунії Кароль (майбутній Кароль II Румунський) проводить тренування зі стрільби з кулемету Chauchat. Румунський фронтКронпринц Румунії Кароль (майбутній Кароль II Румунський) проводи�...

Haval H7 Виробник Great Wall Motors Бренд Great Wall Motors Двигун (рушій) Бензиновий двигун Колісна база 2850 мм Довжина або відстань 4715 мм Ширина 1925 мм Висота 1718 мм Офіційний сайт​(кит.)  Haval H7 у Вікісховищі Haval H7 - середньорозмірний SUV, випускається з 2015 року компанією Haval �...

American basketball player (born 1990) Quincy AcyAcy in 2013Wichita State ShockersPositionAssistant coachLeagueThe AmericanPersonal informationBorn (1990-10-06) October 6, 1990 (age 33)Tyler, Texas, U.S.Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)Career informationHigh schoolJohn Horn (Mesquite, Texas)CollegeBaylor (2008–2012)NBA draft2012: 2nd round, 37th overall pickSelected by the Toronto RaptorsPlaying career2012–2022PositionPower forward /...

Ham Hindu Nahin Cover page of the 1898 first edition of 'Ham Hindu Nahin' (We Are Not Hindus) by Kahn Singh Nabha. Digitized and provided by the Panjab Digital Library.AuthorKahn Singh NabhaOriginal titleਹਮ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨਹੀਂCountryBritish IndiaLanguagePunjabiSubjectA critique on the Sikh identityPublication date1898 (1st ed.)Media typePrintPages185 (4th ed.) Part of a series on Sikh literature Hagiographical Janamsakhi Suraj Parkash Sau Sakhi Lexis Mahan Kosh Praxis R...

Athletics at the Olympics Men's 1500 metresat the Games of the V OlympiadThe finish with Arnold Jackson setting a new Olympic record.VenueStockholm Olympic StadiumDatesJuly 9 (semifinals) July 10 (final)Competitors45 from 14 nationsWinning time3:56.8 ORMedalists Arnold Jackson Great Britain Abel Kiviat United States Norman Taber United States← 19081920 → Athletics at the1912 Summer OlympicsTrack events100 mmen200 mmen400 mmen800 mmen1500 mmen5000...

Gugus bola Messier 92 yang terdapat di rasi Herkules. Gugus bintang atau Awan bintang merupakan kelompok bintang yang secara gravitasi dan awal pembentukannya terikat satu sama lain. Ada dua jenis gugus bintang yang umum ditemukan, yaitu: Gugus bola merupakan kelompok ratusan atau ribuan bintang yang berusia sangat tua dan terikat gravitasi erat satu sama lain. Karena jarak antar bintangnya yang relatif dekat, gugus ini membentuk seperti bola dimana kepadatan bintang semakin tinggi di bagian ...

Short story by Ernest Hemingway This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: The Undefeated short story – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) 1968 standalone edition(publ. Higher School Publishing House, Moscow) The Undefeated i...