ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we begin to develop a theory of human moral competence. Moral conclusions emerge from processes of wide reflective equilibrium that draw on considered moral judgments and factual judgments pertinent to the situations in question. We think these processes also involve natural moral values and the human form of moral competence that has evolved in response to these values. By drawing a distinction between moral competence and moral performance in the context of conflicts between impartial and partial moral reasons, we begin to develop a theory of moral competence to explain how natural moral values and the human moral capacity may affect human moral reasoning. In considering how EMR may help to resolve conflicts between impartial and partial moral reasons, we aim to show that EMR can lead to morally interesting results. In developing theories of moral competence and performance, we begin to explore a general causal pathway from natural moral values to moral reasoning.
