Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Reflectivists consider reflective reasoning crucial for good judgment and action. Anti‐reflectivists deny that reflection delivers what reflectivists seek. Alas, the evidence is mixed. So, does reflection confer normative value or not? This paper argues for a middle way: reflection can confer normative value, but its ability to do this is bound by factors such as what we might callepistemic identity: an identity that involves particular beliefs—for example, religious and political identities. We may reflectively defend our identities’ beliefs rather than reflect open‐mindedly to adopt whatever beliefs cohere with the best arguments and evidence. Thisbounded reflectivismis explicated with an algorithmic model of reflection synthesized from philosophy and science that yields testable predictions, psychometric implications, and realistic metaphilosophical suggestions—for example, overcoming motivated reflection may require embracing epistemic identity rather than veiling it (à la Rawls 1971). So bounded reflectivism should be preferred to views offering anything less.
Source: Metaphilosophy
DOI: 10.1111/meta.12534
Author: Nick Byrd
Institution: Stevens Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4200458531