Rules perform a moral function by restating moral principles in concrete terms, so as to reduce the uncertainty, error, and controversy that result when individuals follow their own unconstrained moral judgment. Although reason dictates that we must follow rules to avoid destructive error and controversy, rules--and hence laws--are imperfect, and reason also dictates that we ought not follow them when we believe they produce the wrong result in a particular case. In "The Rule of Rules" Larry Alexander and Emily Sherwin examine this dilemma. Once the importance of this moral and...
Rules perform a moral function by restating moral principles in concrete terms, so as to reduce the uncertainty, error, and controversy that result wh...