In other words, it sounds like you’re saying human values are complex because all values are complex.
Yes, I’m more confident of this than of the godshatter thesis. With respect to the godshatter thesis, it seems fairly likely to me that reflective equilibrium does not wash away all our desires’ complexity, because many values are self-defending, e.g. desire for varied experiences, protection of loved ones, etc. They seem not much more arbitrary than any form of hedonism particular enough to answer all the questions above, and so likely to rise or fall together (under conditions of reflection and self-control).
Many beliefs are also Self-defending, but that is little reason to hold onto them. There is no Reason for the same principle not to apply to beliefs about morality, which values implicitly are. Thus their Self-defending-ness doesn’t necessarily mean that reflective equilibrium doesn’t just throw them out as false theories rather than updating on them as raw data, though of course they are both. Or so one perspective would argue.
Yes, I’m more confident of this than of the godshatter thesis. With respect to the godshatter thesis, it seems fairly likely to me that reflective equilibrium does not wash away all our desires’ complexity, because many values are self-defending, e.g. desire for varied experiences, protection of loved ones, etc. They seem not much more arbitrary than any form of hedonism particular enough to answer all the questions above, and so likely to rise or fall together (under conditions of reflection and self-control).
Many beliefs are also Self-defending, but that is little reason to hold onto them. There is no Reason for the same principle not to apply to beliefs about morality, which values implicitly are. Thus their Self-defending-ness doesn’t necessarily mean that reflective equilibrium doesn’t just throw them out as false theories rather than updating on them as raw data, though of course they are both. Or so one perspective would argue.