Moral Expertise

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores the nature of moral expertise and its significance to debates in metaethics and normative ethics. A role for moral expertise in the clinical setting is presented which relies on drawing from considerations cited in moral epistemology work on testimony in favour of moral deference. Moral deference to expert moral testimony is important in certain situations identified in clinical settings, such as situations in which someone has difficulty ascribing fundamentality to any of the values they ascribe to. In high-stakes situations, in conditions of moral uncertainty, the testimony of trusted experts can be very helpful to those wrestling with difficult decisions.