But if we started distinguishing between provisional and real terminal values, how would I continue to use bold statements of self-expressive fiat to avoid thinking about complicated unsolved problems in ethical philosophy with potentially uncomfortable answers?
Oh, this one is obvious! You simply assert that everyone else’s “terminal values” are actually just provisional, whereas yours are real, due to a moral miracle. Or! Become a nihilist, or perhaps an existentialist, or join a vaguely plausible religion.
“moral beliefs”
(we really could use a standard term for this)
But if we started distinguishing between provisional and real terminal values, how would I continue to use bold statements of self-expressive fiat to avoid thinking about complicated unsolved problems in ethical philosophy with potentially uncomfortable answers?
Oh, this one is obvious! You simply assert that everyone else’s “terminal values” are actually just provisional, whereas yours are real, due to a moral miracle. Or! Become a nihilist, or perhaps an existentialist, or join a vaguely plausible religion.