Ethics

To what extent should our actions be guided by our theories in ethics?

Comments

Ethical theories are meant to cover all areas of one's life. If someone truly embraces a particular ethical theory, then all of her actions ought to be at least consistent with her ethical beliefs. Some decisions, and corresponding actions, have no ethical value: choosing which pair of shoes to wear is not something that is normally construed as having moral relevance! And, really, many of our actions are of this neutral sort. Even with these neutral actions, though, the consistent agent will ensure that her actions really are neutral, and do not conflict with her ethical commitments.

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