Concept Formation in Ethical Theories: Dealing with Polar Predicates | JESP
jesp.org
How we define moral concepts may secretly sabotage ethical theories — and polar predicates reveal the hidden trap lurking inside response-dependence and constructivism alike.
Response-Dependence TheoryMoral ConstructivismConcept FormationMetaethics
Theory Briefing
- Mark Alfano argues that 'polar predicates' — terms defined against their opposites — create dangerous conceptual traps in metaethics.
- Response-dependence theories like Prinz's risk collapsing moral distinctions when concepts such as 'good' can't be defined without invoking 'bad'.
- The article explores how concept formation choices silently constrain the logical coherence of entire ethical frameworks.