Exam 13: Critical Thinking in Morality

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The text you are referring to has not been provided, so I cannot directly quote or reference it to determine how it suggests one might ascertain the truth of a general moral principle. However, I can offer a general approach to this philosophical question based on common methods used in moral philosophy.

One way to determine whether a general moral principle is true is through the process of reflective equilibrium. This method involves comparing our moral intuitions and considered judgments about specific cases to the general moral principles that we believe govern them. The goal is to achieve coherence between our particular judgments and our broader moral principles. When discrepancies arise, we may need to revise either our specific judgments or our general principles until we reach a state of equilibrium where our moral beliefs are consistent and mutually supportive.

Another approach is to test the principle through thought experiments and universalization. This involves asking whether the principle could be consistently applied to all relevantly similar situations without leading to contradictions or unacceptable outcomes. For example, Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative suggests that a moral principle is true if it can be willed to become a universal law without contradiction.

Additionally, moral principles can be evaluated based on their consequences. Utilitarianism, for example, suggests that a moral principle is true if it leads to the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This consequentialist approach assesses the truth of a moral principle by looking at the outcomes it produces when applied.

Philosophical dialogue and debate are also crucial for testing the validity of moral principles. Engaging with different perspectives and critiques can help refine and challenge our moral beliefs, leading to a more robust understanding of what principles may be true.

Ultimately, determining the truth of a general moral principle is a complex task that may involve a combination of these methods and others, and it is often subject to ongoing discussion and revision within the field of moral philosophy.