Dabbagh, Sorush H. (2006) Moral reasons : particularism, patterns and practice. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This is the study of the extent of the patternability of the reason-giving behaviour of
morally relevant features in different ethical contexts. Whether or not the way in which a
morally relevant feature contributes to the moral evaluation of different cases is
generalis able is examined in this research. I argue in favour of a core and constitutive
modest-generalistic theme, according to which there are general patterns of word use, to
which the reason-giving behaviour of moral vocabulary in different contexts is
answerable. To this end, I reject the constitutive particularistic claim which holds that the
way in which a morally relevant feature behaves in different cases is fully context-dependent.
An account drawn from Wittgenstein with regard to the nature of concepts
which emphasises the key role of the concept 'practice' is presented to give an account of
how the reason-giving behaviour of a morally relevant feature in different contexts is
answerable to general patterns of word use. Ross's ethics is introduced as an example of
the modest-generalistic position. To substantiate this modest-generalistic position, an
apparent dilemma is presented for particularists, e.g. Dancy. In order to resolve the
second horn of the dilemma, which is an example of a general problem with which any
generalistic account is confronted, the account drawn from Wittgenstein with regard to
the nature of concepts is again used. Finally, a distinction between the first order and the
second order account of the concept 'practice' is presented to give a more plausible
account of the concept 'practice' which has an indispensable role in the Wittgensteinian
account.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Ethics, Metaphysics
Official Date:	February 2006
Dates:	Date Event February 2006 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Philosophy
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Luntley, Michael, 1953-
Extent:	vii, 216 leaves
Language:	eng

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