Compatibility of Moral Principles with Context-Dependence

In this article, I, firstly, articulate a particularistic metaphysical ground and stress that it is plausible: the moral relevance of act-descriptions is variable according to the particular situation; positive valence and negative valence of act-descriptions can change in different situations. But, secondly, I explain against the particularist that moral principles are compatible with the context-dependence of the moral relevance of act-descriptions in at least two respects. a) Moral principles are indeterminate in acting on them because practical principles fundamentally do not (completely) determine the action. In each particular situation we should judge which act-token to do or which way of avoiding an action to implement. Applying moral principles requires context-sensitivity. b) Moral principles are defeasible. Defeasibility of practical principles, of which moral principles are a kind, means that we can block following them in a particular situation. Moral principles as extended determinations are not abandoned or refuted if we cannot in a particular situation act on them. Blocking moral principles is acceptable at least under two conditions. First, when a moral principle does not include some situations. Second, when acting on a moral principle is in conflict with acting on another moral principle or principles.