Spiegel, Irina (2025) The Possibility of a General Theory of Normativity in Light of the Number-Counts-Debate. [Preprint]
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Abstract
This article revisits Taurek’s famous question: Should the greater number be saved in situations of resource scarcity? At the heart of this debate lies a central issue in normative ethics—whether numerical superiority can constitute a moral pro tanto reason. Engaging with this question helps to illuminate core principles of normative theory. Welfarism$^{min}$ presents a pro-number position. The article first outlines Taurek’s original argument. It then examines non-welfarist responses and explains why they remain unsatisfactory. Finally, it identifies the main shortcomings of the hybrid welfarism$^{min}$ approach and suggests a possible alternative for more adequately addressing the Taurek problem.
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Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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Keywords: | Number-counts-debate, aggregation, welfarism, neo-contractualism, Taurek problem. | ||||||
Subjects: | General Issues > Decision Theory Specific Sciences > Psychology > Social Psychology General Issues > Thought Experiments |
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Depositing User: | Dr. Irina Spiegel | ||||||
Date Deposited: | 28 Jun 2025 15:20 | ||||||
Last Modified: | 28 Jun 2025 15:20 | ||||||
Item ID: | 25842 | ||||||
Subjects: | General Issues > Decision Theory Specific Sciences > Psychology > Social Psychology General Issues > Thought Experiments |
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Date: | 31 June 2025 | ||||||
URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/25842 |
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