32 found
Order:
Disambiguations
Robert Bass [26]Robert E. Bass [5]Robert H. Bass [2]
  1. Evil is still evidence: comment on Almeida.Robert Bass - 2023 - Religious Studies 1.
    Michael Almeida has recently tried to show that if S5 correctly represents metaphysical necessity, there can be no non-trivial evidence for or against the existence of the traditional God. Evidence would thus be irrelevant to the reasonability of traditional theistic belief. Almeida's argument has implications beyond its announced target: it amounts to a new argument for sweeping scepticism. Almeida's argument for the irrelevance of evidence to the existence of God would apply to any state of affairs that entails some metaphysical (...)
    Direct download (2 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   1 citation  
  2. Lives in the Balance: Utilitarianism and Animal Research.Robert Bass - 2012 - In Jeremy R. Garrett (ed.), The Ethics of Animal Research: Exploring the Controversy. Mit Press.
    In the long history of moral theory, non-human animals—hereafter, just animals—have often been neglected entirely or have been relegated to some secondary status. Since its emergence in the early 19th century, utilitarianism has made a difference in that respect by focusing upon happiness or well-being (and their contraries) rather than upon the beings who suffer or enjoy. Inevitably, that has meant that human relations to and use of other animals have appeared in a different light. Some cases have seemed easy: (...)
    Direct download (4 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   10 citations  
  3. Divine Command Theory without a Divine Commander.Robert Bass - 2023 - Journal of Value Inquiry 1:1-19.
    Recent divine command theorists make a serious and impressive case that a sophisticated divine command theory has significant metaethical advantages and can adequately meet traditional objections, such as the Euthyphro problem. I survey the attempt sympathetically with a view to explaining how the divine command theory can deal with traditional objections while delivering on metaethical desiderata, such as providing an account of ethical objectivity. I argue, however, that to the extent that a divine command theory succeeds, an ideal observer theory (...)
    Direct download (5 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  4.  24
    Scientific Autobiography and Other Papers.Robert E. Bass - 1951 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 12 (2):291-294.
    No categories
    Direct download (2 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   15 citations  
  5. Many Inscrutable Evils.Robert Bass - 2011 - Ars Disputandi 11:118-132.
    I examine the evidential argument from inscrutable evil, evil for which we can see no morally adequate reason. Such evils are often thought to provide evidence for the existence of gratuitous evil that God could not be justified in allowing, but arguments for this are often informal and intuitive. I try to contribute greater rigor by developing a probabilistic argument that large numbers of inscrutable evils are strong evidence for the existence of gratuitous evil. Then, I consider and reject two (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   5 citations  
  6. Egoism Versus Rights.Robert H. Bass - 2006 - Journal of Ayn Rand Studies 7 (2):329-349.
    I develop an argument that key theses from Ayn Rand's ethics and political philosophy are incompatible with one another. Her ethical egoism is not compatible with her rights theory. Though Rand's version of rights theory is libertarian, the argument does not depend upon any claims peculiar to her theory, but would apply to the (in)compatibility of ethical egoism and almost any plausible rights theory.
    Direct download (3 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   5 citations  
  7. Inscrutable evils: still numerous, still relevant.Robert Bass - 2014 - International Journal of Philosophy and Theology 75 (4):379–384.
    Jamie Carlin Watson has recently challenged my Bayesian formulation of the evidential argument from evil. My approach depends upon certain critical assumptions, but Watson argues that I am not entitled to those assumptions. I reply briefly, showing why I am entitled to those assumptions, and thus, why my argument survives his critique.
    Direct download (4 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   2 citations  
  8. Towards a Constructivist Eudaemonism.Robert Bass - 2004 - Dissertation, Bowling Green State University
    Eudaemonism is the common structure of the family of theories in which the central moral conception is eudaemonia , understood as "living well" or "having a good life." In its best form, the virtues are understood as constitutive and therefore essential means to achieving or having such a life. What I seek to do is to lay the groundwork for an approach to eudaemonism grounded in practical reason, and especially in instrumental reasoning, rather than in natural teleology. In the first (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   3 citations  
  9. The Benefit of Regan's Doubt.Robert Bass - 2016 - In Mylan Engel & Gary Lynn Comstock (eds.), The Moral Rights of Animals. Lanham, MD: Lexington. pp. 239-256.
    Regan appeals to the benefit of the doubt as a reason to include some animals within the scope of his arguments about the rights of animals. I think the informal appeal to the benefit of the doubt can be fleshed out and made more compelling. What I shall do differs from his project, however. It is narrower in scope, because I shall focus on a single issue, the dietary use of animals. On another dimension, though, I aim to do more. (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   1 citation  
  10. Omniscience and the Identification Problem.Robert Bass - 2007 - Florida Philosophical Review 7 (1):78-91.
    I discuss the propositional knowledge of an omniscient being, knowledge of facts that can be represented by that-clauses in sentences such as ‘John knows that the world is round.’ I shall focus upon questions about a supposedly omniscient being who propositionally knows the truth about all current states of affairs. I shall argue that there is no such being.
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   2 citations  
  11.  90
    Defending the Argument.Robert H. Bass - 2006 - Journal of Ayn Rand Studies 7 (2):371-381.
    In "Egoism versus Rights," I argued that egoism is incompatible with rights. Here, I respond to two critics of that argument.
    Direct download (4 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   2 citations  
  12. Chalmers and the Self-Knowledge Problem.Robert Bass - manuscript
    In _The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory_, David Chalmers poses an interesting and powerful challenge to materialism or physicalism. Further, he goes a long way towards providing a proof by example that the rejection of materialism need not commit one to scientifically suspicious “ghost in the machine” doctrines, but can be wedded to a generally naturalistic perspective. As an (as yet) unpersuaded physicalist and functionalist, his case against physicalism seems an appropriate target for criticism. However, it would (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  13. Modal Evil and Divine Necessity.Robert Bass - manuscript
    God is often conceived as a necessary being, but if gratuitous evil is even possible, then God cannot be necessary. Two arguments are developed that the possibility of gratuitous evil is more probable than divine necessity. Thus, probably, it is impossible for God to be a necessary being. The main argument is then followed with some reflection on what this conclusion means for philosophical theism.
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  14. Joyce as a Moral Anatomist.Robert Bass - manuscript
    The cover illustration for Richard Joyce’s elegant and powerful recent work, The Evolution of Morality, is a reproduction of an oddly fascinating and disturbing sixteenth-century engraving, the Anatomia del corpo humano. One has to examine the image for a minute to realize that the standing human figure, stripped of skin, and with muscles, tendons and joints revealed, holds the anatomist’s knife in his left hand and that, with his right, he holds up the single piece of skin, from bearded face (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  15. Sunk Costs.Robert Bass - manuscript
    Decision theorists generally object to “honoring sunk costs” – that is, treating the fact that some cost has been incurred in the past as a reason for action, apart from the consideration of expected consequences. This paper critiques the doctrine that sunk costs should never be honored on three levels. As background, the rationale for the doctrine is explained. Then it is shown that if it is always irrational to honor sunk costs, then other common and uncontroversial practices are also (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  16. Moral Lore and the Ethics of Eating.Robert Bass - 2011 - Think 10 (29):83-90.
    Your mother was wise to teach you that just because everybody’s doing it, that doesn’t make it right. She would have been wise to add that just because everybody thinks it, that doesn’t make it right, either. On the other hand, she would not have been wise to add (and probably did not) that when everybody agrees, that is no evidence whatsoever. When nearly everybody believes something, that’s a reason in its favor. . . . I shall look at a (...)
    Direct download (7 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   1 citation  
  17. Deciding Where to Meet for Dinner: Simple Problems and Joint Intentionality.Robert Bass - manuscript
    Certain apparently simple problems of coming to an agreement are surprisingly difficult to analyze in terms of individually rational behavior with a given set of preferences and beliefs. Though initially the solution appears obvious, the reasoning that would be needed to reach the solution on the part of a pair of rational individuals seems baroque and doubtful. This is used to suggest that a more fruitful tack is to analyze the situation in terms of a kind of joint or shared (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  18. Reflective Equilibrium.Robert Bass - 2010 - In Nils Ch Rauhut & Robert Bass (eds.), Readings on the Ultimate Questions, Third Edition. Prentice-Hall.
    An explanation and defense of the use of reflective equilibrium in ethics.
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  19. Maximizing, Satisficing and the Normative Distinction Between Means and Ends.Robert Bass - manuscript
    Decision theory, understood as providing a normative account of rationality in action, is often thought to be an adequate formalization of instrumental reasoning. As a model, there is much to be said for it. However, if decision theory is to adequately account for correct instrumental reasoning, then the axiomatic conditions by which it links preference to action must be normative for choice. That is, a choice must be rationally defective unless it proceeds from a preference set that satisfies the axiomatic (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  20. Quotidian Medical Epistemology.Robert Bass - manuscript
    My title may suggest that I will address the activities of medical professionals as they go about their daily business of diagnosis, prescription and treatment. Certainly, that deserves attention, but it is not my target here. My concern is, on the one hand, with typical consumers of health and medical information, and, on the other, with the problems such consumers face in understanding, interpreting and applying the information available to them.
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  21. Small Contributions.Robert Bass - manuscript
    Many of the world's problems--severe poverty and starvation, global warming, religious war, oppressive and tyrannical regimes--are large, well beyond what any ordinary person might have a significant impact upon. We are at most in a position to make small contributions. This fact is behind a seductive argument: there is nothing we can do about the large problems; since we cannot do anything about the large problems, it is not true that we ought to do anything; therefore, we can, in good (...)
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  22.  88
    Undermining Indirect Duty Theories.Robert Bass - 2006 - Between the Species (6):1.
    There is a class of views about our moral relations with non-human animals that share the idea that animals do not matter directly for ethical purposes: whatever duties or obligations we have with respect to animals are indirect, connected somehow to other duties or obligations – to other human beings, for example – in which the well-being or interests of animals do not figure. Criticisms of indirect duty theories have often focused either upon denying the link that is supposed to (...)
    Direct download (3 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  23.  22
    Kausalgesetz und Zeitrichtung.Robert Bass - 1927 - Annalen der Philosophie Und Philosophischen Kritik 6 (1):351-360.
    No categories
    Direct download (3 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  24.  8
    Order in Nature.Robert E. Bass - 1961 - Atti Del XII Congresso Internazionale di Filosofia 6:33-39.
    No categories
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  25. Pure Contractarianism: Promise, Problems, Prospects.Robert Bass - 2000 - Journal of Value Inquiry 34 (2-3):319-332.
    Several different positions are classified as contractarian. Though there are variations among them, they all include the assumption that practical or action-guiding principles, among which are principles of moral justification and of political legitimacy, somehow have their basis in consent. A contractarian may or may not believe that there are other practical principles that are based on or justified by something besides consent. If he believes there are any others, there will be delicate issues to address as to whether they (...)
    Direct download (4 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  26.  3
    Some features of organization in nature: a contribution to unified science.Robert E. Bass - 1991 - Toledo, Ohio: Adamson Print. Co..
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  27. Some Features of Organization in Nature: A Contribution to Philosophy.Robert E. Bass - 1980 - Printing, Mailing Services.
  28.  23
    The Nature of Some of Our Physical Concepts.Robert E. Bass - 1954 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 14 (3):415-417.
    No categories
    Direct download (2 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark   1 citation  
  29. Readings on the Ultimate Questions, Third Edition.Nils Ch Rauhut & Robert Bass (eds.) - 2010 - Prentice-Hall.
    Designed to be used on its own or with its companion text, Ultimate Questions: Thinking About Philosophy 3e, this collection of readings covers the major topic areas in philosophy: Knowledge; Free Will; Personal Identity; Mind/Body; God; Ethics; and Political Philosophy. While focusing primarily on contemporary philosophy, it also includes many of the classic works essential to an introductory course.
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  30. Without a tear: Our tragic relationship with animals. [REVIEW]Robert Bass - 2005 - Journal of Value Inquiry 39 (2):273-277.
    Since Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation, many philosophers have addressed the ethics of our relations with other animals with skill and insight. By and large, they have argued that something is badly wrong and therefore in need of radical reform, though there have been dissenters, like Peter Carruthers, in The Animals Issue. One feature many such works have had in common is the reliance of their authors upon contentious theoretical stances. There have been utilitarian, Kantian, and contractarian arguments, with theses and (...)
    Direct download (5 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  31. David Schmidtz, The Elements of Justice: Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. 2006. ISBN 0-521-53936-6, $32, Pb. [REVIEW]Robert Bass - 2012 - Journal of Value Inquiry 46 (2):255-257.
    From Schmidtz, one might expect a theory of justice, basically along libertarian lines. The book may surprise, though not disappoint, for that is not quite what one would find. Instead, the title is apt. Schmidtz says that there is a terrain of justice, the terrain of what people are due, and it has a certain kind of unity.
    Direct download (7 more)  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark  
  32. Book Review: The Debates of Liberty: An Overview of Individualist Anarchism, 1881-1908. By Wendy McElroy. [REVIEW]Robert Bass - 2005 - Journal of Libertarian Studies 19 (3):99-101.
    There was a period in the latter nineteenth century when a distinctively American kind of radicalism flourished, a time when key thinkers could be called, and called themselves, individualists, libertarians, anarchists, and socialists all at once. McElroy gives us a window on the people and times involved. But her work is of more than antiquarian interest: their debates and the issues they faced often sound strikingly modern.
    Direct download  
     
    Export citation  
     
    Bookmark