The wrong time to aim at what's right: When is de dicto moral motivation less virtuous?

Ron Aboodi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

I argue that there are (only) two contingent factors that can render an instantiation of de dicto moral motivation - which is typically characterized by the agent's conceiving of her goal in moral terms such as doing what's right - less virtuous than some alternative motivation that would lead to the same (right) action: (1) the circumstances are such that it would be more virtuous to be moved directly by certain non-deliberative dispositions (such as an emotional attachment to one's spouse); or (2) the circumstances are such that de dicto moral motivation has practical disadvantages (such as generating unnecessary moral reflections that waste precious time).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-314
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of the Aristotelean Society
Volume115
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy

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