ABSTRACT

Common sense and moral theory We are all theorists in a variety of ways. We argue out the whys and wherefores of putting our aged relatives in geriatric homes, taking early retirement, buying a pet for the children, or taking them to the circus. Many of our decisions will have enduring practical implications of what could be called a moral sort. In two of my cited cases what we do might have moral relevance for animal welfare; although the label ‘moral’ would probably be disputed if our uncertainty over the pet or circus were solely on grounds of cost or distance of travel.