Evaluative Uncertainty

Abstract

Abstract This chapter concerns evaluative uncertainty—uncertainty about values or objective reasons for action. It argues, against some recent sceptics, that evaluative uncertainty is relevant to rational and moral choice. It considers a number of principles from the literature aimed at precisifying this relevance, shows that they all face serious objections, and then proposes alternative principles that avoid these objections. It also discusses two important challenges, known as the problem of intertheoretic value comparison and the problem of fanaticism. The main conclusion of the chapter is that, while a theory of rational and moral choice under evaluative uncertainty is needed, no special theory is needed, because the dominant theory of rational choice under ordinary uncertainty can be extended to rational and moral choice under evaluative uncertainty.