What is the reflective equilibrium method?

Reflective equilibrium is a philosophical method for justifying beliefs by seeking a state of balance or coherence among a set of them through deliberative mutual adjustment. The approach involves adjusting general principles and particular intuitive judgements until they align. Although philosopher Nelson Goodman originally introduced a version of the concept to justify inductive logic, the term itself was coined and popularized by John Rawls.

What we know

• Reflective equilibrium is defined as a state of balance or coherence among a set of beliefs arrived at through deliberative mutual adjustment. [1, 2]
• Philosopher Nelson Goodman introduced the method to justify the principles of inductive logic, though he did not use the exact term. [2]
• The term reflective equilibrium was coined by John Rawls and popularized in his work A Theory of Justice. [2]
• Within philosophical methodology, the method of reflective equilibrium is classified as an approach that seeks coherence among beliefs. [3]

Still open

• Dietmar Hübner points out that there are many interpretations of reflective equilibrium that deviate from Rawls' original method, which can reduce the cogency of the idea.

Where to go next

• whoWho was John Rawls?
• the bigger pictureWhat is philosophical methodology?
• compared withHow does conceptual analysis work?
• a case in pointWhat is Goodman's method in inductive logic?
• an unexpected connectionHow do scientific and philosophical methods differ?

Sources

• [1]reflective equilibrium (Wikidata Q900929) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Reflective equilibrium · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Philosophical methodology · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Philosophical analysis · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Scientific method · CC BY-SA 4.0