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The Small Improvement Argument, Epistemicism And Incomparability

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  • Flanigan, Edmund Tweedy
  • Halstead, John

Abstract

The Small Improvement Argument (SIA) is the leading argument for value incomparability. All vagueness-based accounts of the SIA have hitherto assumed the truth of supervaluationism, but supervaluationism has some well-known problems. This paper explores the implications of epistemicism, a leading rival theory. We argue that if epistemicism is true, then options are comparable in small improvement cases. Moreover, even if SIAs do not exploit vagueness, if epistemicism is true, then options cannot be on a par. The epistemicist account of the SIA has an advantage over leading existing rival accounts of the SIA because it accounts for higher-order hard cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Flanigan, Edmund Tweedy & Halstead, John, 2018. "The Small Improvement Argument, Epistemicism And Incomparability," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 34(2), pages 199-219, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:ecnphi:v:34:y:2018:i:02:p:199-219_00
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