The Method of Reflective Equilibrium and the Deontology/Consequentialism Debate

In this project, I seek to an answer to the question of whether the correct ethical framework is a deontological or consequentialist one. I begin with the assumption that morality is objective. Using that as a starting point, I discuss the two primary sources of data on moral topics: our intuitions and our judgments. I note some epistemic worries with regards to our moral intuitions, and argue that the process of arriving at judgments—rationality—constitutes a reliable process. Then, I argue for a method of doing ethics known as “reflective equilibrium,” which I modify in light of some concerns about the reliability of our intuitions and judgments. Next, I apply the method of reflective equilibrium to the deontology/consequentialism debate, and conclude that consequentialism is the correct ethical framework. I. ON THE RELEVANCY OF OUR MORAL INTUITIONS Before proceeding, I would like to make an important distinction between the notion of an intuition and that of a judgment. By ‘intuition’ I am referring to the initial compulsions we have regarding possible answers to various questions that are in some sense prior to argument and reasoning. For instance, consider the following scenario, presented by Peter Singer in his article “Ethics and Intuitions.” Mark and Julie are brother and sister and on a summer vacation in France. One night, they decide that it would be interesting to try and make love. They use two forms of birth control, they both enjoy the sex and think that it has brought them closer together, but they decide never to tell anyone about it and also never do it again. The reaction of disgust that is typically engendered by this scenario captures what I am referring to by ‘moral intuition.’ The average person, confronted with this scenario, would immediately react by condemning the actions of Mark and Julie as wrong; indeed, I did so myself when I first read it. Our intuitions are somewhat akin to our gut reactions to claims or thought