Abstract

In his article "categorial consistency in ethics" ("the philosophical quarterly," october, 1967, Pages 289-297) alan gewirth argues that he can catch the fanatic in an inconsistency by a unique application of the generalizability principle. The fanatic, He says, Operates under "...A second order rule that agents or persons who are going to act have the right to decide...." the fanatic is inconsistent, According to gewirth, Because he fails to apply this second order principle to those he will subjugate. Unfortunately, The fanatic has a way out. The second order principle he operates under need not be the one gewirth forces upon him. Rather, With perfect consistency, The fanatic can operate under the second order principle 'superior (not all) agents have a right to decide'