Infinitism about cross-domain conflict

Dr David Killoren (Australian Catholic University)

According to a common-sense idea, (i) there are multiple normative domains (including but perhaps not limited to the domains of morality and prudence), and (ii) an obligation belonging to one domain can in some cases come into conflict with an obligation belonging to another domain, and (iii) in some such conflicts, one obligation overrides the other. In this talk, I'll argue that if we accept this common-sense idea, then we ought to also accept a further idea: infinitism about cross-domain conflict, which posits a certain kind of infinite hierarchy of normative domains. An exact definition of this view will be given in the talk; the view will turn out to be counterintuitive. Thus, my argument in this talk presents us with an uncomfortable choice: we have to either reject the common-sense idea with which my argument begins, or accept the counterintuitive idea with which my argument concludes.