Reasoning

Abstract

Chapter 5 describes how knowledge evolved through socially interactive reasoning that would not have been possible without morality. To overcome confirmation bias and other impediments to knowledge, it is necessary to reason with those with different perspectives who do not share the same biases. Such social reasoning must be guided by mutual respect and trust as well as honesty and fairness if it is to achieve mutual knowledge. Moral reasoning is shown to be no exception. It must appeal to facts already known to apply moral norms. On the other hand, while appeal to moral norms can be self-serving, moral consistency reasoning provides a significant constraint. It proceeds by comparing examples that are not different in relevant respects where the application of the norms is inconsistent. Consistency reasoning can be used to criticize cases where individuals are excluded from moral consideration when they are not relevantly different.