Applications of the Wide Reflective Equilibrium

Abstract The wide reflective equilibrium (WRE) is considered the most important method of ethical justification and intensively discussed in scientific community. However, it unclear to what extent actually applied literature. objective this paper fill gap by providing a critical overview its explicit applications. Explicit application refers studies that, following Daniels’ definition, contain three levels, name their elements, provide connection between levels. Philosophers Index, ProQuest, PubMed, Web Science, Scopus were searched for that explicitly used WRE written German or English. All topics, disciplines, publication forms considered. Nineteen found which was 23 times. In applications, 50 equilibria discussed, 19 times reported an state reached. authors various different purposes, diverse topics. applications themselves differed considerably regarding procedure scope. Differences can be seen particular with regard presentation adjustment process criteria used. results indicate successfully applied, but number still very low. Further research needed develop into established justification. particular, standards are criteria.