From Paradigm-Based Explanation to Pragmatic Genealogy
Mind 129 (515): 683–714. 2020. doi:10.1093/mind/fzy083
Why would philosophers interested in the points or functions of our conceptual practices bother with genealogical explanations if they can focus directly on paradigmatic examples of the practices we now have? This paper offers three reasons why the genealogical approach earns its keep and formulates criteria for determining when it is called for.
explanation, functions, genealogy, history, historiography, methodology
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On Ordered Pluralism
Australasian Philosophical Review 3 (3): 305–11. 2019. doi:10.1080/24740500.2020.1859234
Beginning with the debate concerning “moral justice forgiveness” and “gifted” forgiveness, this paper critically examines Miranda Fricker’s method for ordering plural conceptions of a practice. It argues that the selection of a paradigm case, such as “moral justice forgiveness,” is not absolute, but depends on which functional aspect of the practice one wishes to explain.
Fricker, conceptual engineering, metaethics, methodology, pluralism, moral psychology
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