The Two-Tier Problem.

Area of Science:

• Moral Philosophy
• Ethics
• Decision Theory

Background:

• Philosophical debate exists on distinguishing individual-affecting and non-individual-affecting choices.
• The "Two Tier Problem" highlights challenges in determining the moral significance and categorization of these choices.
• Existing views struggle to define the precise moral difference between these choice types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and defend a novel ethical framework: the "Two-Tier Deontic View."
• To clarify the conditions under which individual-affecting choices carry greater moral weight.
• To apply this framework to policy decisions, particularly those concerning reproduction.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of ethical theories regarding agent-relative duties.
• Development of a deontic framework to differentiate moral obligations.
• Application of the "Two-Tier Deontic View" to hypothetical and real-world ethical dilemmas.

Main Results:

• The "Two-Tier Deontic View" posits that stronger reasons exist for individual-affecting benefits only when agent-relative duties are present.
• Most policy decisions affecting reproduction do not fall into the category requiring stronger moral consideration for individual-affecting benefits.
• In many cases, there is no significant moral difference between individual-affecting and non-individual-affecting choices.

Conclusions:

• The "Two-Tier Deontic View" offers a nuanced approach to moral decision-making.
• Agent-relative duties are crucial for establishing a moral hierarchy between individual-affecting and non-individual-affecting choices.
• This framework suggests a re-evaluation of moral distinctions in policy, especially concerning reproductive ethics.