Beisbart, Claus (6 April 2017). Reflective Equilibrium Spelled Out: A Formal Model Based Upon the Theory of Dialectical Structures (Unpublished). In: Kolloquium "Logic and Theoretical Computer Science". Universität Bern. 06.04.2017.
Reflective equilibrium (RE) is often taken to be a fruitful method of normative ethics (J. Rawls), philosophy (D. Lewis) or understanding more generally (C. Elgin). Despite its apparent popularity, however, the method is only vaguely characterized, poorly developed and almost never applied to real-world problems in an open-minded spirit. The aim of this talk is to present a precise and formal model of the RE. The starting point is an informal characterization of what I take to be the key idea of RE, viz. an elaboration of one's commitments due to pressure from systematic principles. This idea then is spelled out in the framework of the Theory of Dialectical Structures, as developed by G. Betz. The commitments of an epistemic subject are described as a position in a dialectical structure; desiderata for the positions are postulated; and rules for changing the commitments expounded. Simple examples, in which the model is applied, display a number of features that are well-known from the literature about RE. The talk concludes by discussing the limitations of the model. It is based upon work done jointly with G. Betz and G. Brun.
Item Type: |
Conference or Workshop Item (Speech) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Art and Cultural Studies > Institute of Philosophy 06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Art and Cultural Studies > Institute of Philosophy > Theoretical Philosophy |
UniBE Contributor: |
Beisbart, Claus |
Subjects: |
100 Philosophy 100 Philosophy > 120 Epistemology |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Claus Beisbart |
Date Deposited: |
08 Nov 2017 09:59 |
Last Modified: |
10 Jul 2024 12:30 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/101587 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit item |