Ethical Coherentism

Ethical Coherentism

Ethical coherentism is a theory in meta-ethics that posits that moral beliefs are justified by their coherence with other beliefs rather than being grounded in foundational beliefs or empirical observations. This approach contrasts with ethical foundationalism, which holds that certain basic moral beliefs are self-evident or justified independently of other beliefs. Ethical coherentism emphasizes the interconnectedness and mutual support of moral beliefs within a coherent system.

Image of a library with shelves filled with books.

Image of a library with shelves filled with books.

Historical Background

Ethical coherentism has its roots in the broader philosophical doctrine of coherentism, which is a theory of epistemic justification. Coherentism in epistemology asserts that beliefs are justified if they cohere with a system of interconnected beliefs. This idea was developed in response to the challenges posed by foundationalism and skepticism. Ethical coherentism extends this epistemological framework to the domain of moral beliefs.

The development of ethical coherentism can be traced back to the works of philosophers such as W. V. O. Quine and Donald Davidson, who argued against the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements and emphasized the holistic nature of belief systems. Their ideas influenced subsequent ethical theorists who sought to apply coherentist principles to moral justification.

Core Principles

Ethical coherentism is characterized by several core principles:

Coherence

The central tenet of ethical coherentism is that moral beliefs are justified by their coherence with other beliefs in a system. Coherence involves logical consistency, mutual support, and explanatory power. A coherent set of moral beliefs is one where the beliefs fit together in a harmonious and non-contradictory manner.

Holism

Ethical coherentism adopts a holistic approach to moral justification. This means that individual moral beliefs cannot be evaluated in isolation but must be considered within the context of the entire belief system. The justification of a particular moral belief depends on its relationship with other beliefs in the system.

Reflective Equilibrium

A key method in ethical coherentism is the process of reflective equilibrium. This involves adjusting and refining moral beliefs to achieve coherence within the belief system. Reflective equilibrium seeks a balance between considered moral judgments, moral principles, and background theories. It is an iterative process where beliefs are revised to enhance coherence.

Advantages of Ethical Coherentism

Ethical coherentism offers several advantages over other theories of moral justification:

Avoidance of Foundationalism

By rejecting the need for foundational moral beliefs, ethical coherentism avoids the problems associated with foundationalism, such as the challenge of identifying self-evident moral truths. It provides a more flexible and dynamic framework for moral justification.

Emphasis on Systematic Justification

Ethical coherentism emphasizes the importance of a systematic and holistic approach to moral justification. This allows for a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of moral beliefs, taking into account their interrelationships and mutual support.

Compatibility with Moral Pluralism

Ethical coherentism is compatible with moral pluralism, the view that there are multiple valid moral perspectives. Since coherentism does not rely on a single foundational belief, it can accommodate diverse moral beliefs as long as they form a coherent system.

Criticisms of Ethical Coherentism

Despite its advantages, ethical coherentism faces several criticisms:

Relativism

One of the main criticisms of ethical coherentism is that it may lead to moral relativism. Since coherence is relative to a particular belief system, different coherent systems could justify conflicting moral beliefs. This raises concerns about the objectivity and universality of moral justification.

Circularity

Critics argue that ethical coherentism may be circular, as it justifies moral beliefs based on their coherence with other beliefs within the same system. This could result in a form of epistemic circularity where beliefs are justified by reference to each other without an independent basis.

Practical Application

Another criticism is the practical difficulty of applying ethical coherentism. Achieving coherence within a complex system of moral beliefs can be challenging, and the process of reflective equilibrium may be time-consuming and impractical in real-world decision-making.

Ethical Coherentism and Moral Epistemology

Ethical coherentism has significant implications for moral epistemology, the study of the nature and justification of moral knowledge. It challenges traditional views of moral knowledge that rely on foundational beliefs or empirical observations. Instead, it offers a model where moral knowledge is understood as a product of coherence within a belief system.

Moral Intuitionism

Ethical coherentism contrasts with moral intuitionism, which holds that moral knowledge is based on self-evident moral intuitions. While intuitionism relies on immediate moral insights, coherentism requires that these intuitions be integrated into a coherent system of beliefs.

Moral Constructivism

Ethical coherentism also relates to moral constructivism, the view that moral truths are constructed through rational deliberation and agreement. Both coherentism and constructivism emphasize the role of coherence and mutual support in moral justification, but constructivism focuses more on the procedural aspects of moral reasoning.

Ethical Coherentism in Practice

Applying ethical coherentism in practice involves several steps:

Identifying Moral Beliefs

The first step is to identify the relevant moral beliefs within a given context. This includes both specific moral judgments and broader moral principles. These beliefs form the initial set of beliefs to be evaluated for coherence.

Evaluating Coherence

The next step is to evaluate the coherence of the identified moral beliefs. This involves assessing their logical consistency, mutual support, and explanatory power. Incoherent beliefs may need to be revised or rejected to enhance the overall coherence of the system.

Achieving Reflective Equilibrium

The final step is to achieve reflective equilibrium by adjusting and refining the moral beliefs to achieve coherence. This iterative process may involve revising specific judgments, modifying principles, or incorporating new background theories. The goal is to reach a state where the beliefs form a coherent and harmonious system.

Case Studies

To illustrate ethical coherentism in practice, consider the following case studies:

Case Study 1: Environmental Ethics

In the context of environmental ethics, ethical coherentism can be used to justify moral beliefs about environmental protection. For example, beliefs about the intrinsic value of nature, the rights of future generations, and the responsibilities of individuals and governments can be evaluated for coherence. By achieving reflective equilibrium, a coherent system of environmental ethics can be developed.

Case Study 2: Bioethics

In the field of bioethics, ethical coherentism can be applied to complex moral issues such as euthanasia, genetic engineering, and reproductive rights. By evaluating the coherence of moral beliefs related to autonomy, beneficence, and justice, a coherent ethical framework can be established to guide decision-making in bioethical dilemmas.

Conclusion

Ethical coherentism offers a compelling alternative to foundationalist and empiricist approaches to moral justification. By emphasizing coherence, holism, and reflective equilibrium, it provides a systematic and flexible framework for understanding and justifying moral beliefs. Despite its challenges, ethical coherentism remains a significant and influential theory in contemporary meta-ethics.

See Also

• Moral Realism
• Moral Relativism
• Deontological Ethics
• Virtue Ethics
• Consequentialism