Moral anti-realism

Definition

Moral anti-realism is the philosophical position that denies the existence of objective moral truths or facts independent of human beliefs and attitudes. This view suggests that moral statements do not reflect objective reality, but instead express individual or cultural preferences, emotions, or social conventions. Moral anti-realism contrasts with the idea that there are universal and objective moral truths that apply to all individuals regardless of their beliefs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral anti-realism asserts that moral judgments are not based on objective truths but rather on subjective beliefs and feelings.
2. This perspective encompasses various theories, including expressivism and error theory, which challenge the idea of universal moral standards.
3. Moral anti-realism can lead to relativism, where different cultures or individuals may have conflicting moral beliefs without any one being considered more correct than another.
4. Philosophers who advocate for moral anti-realism argue that since moral values can vary greatly across societies, they cannot be universal truths.
5. Moral anti-realists often emphasize the role of social context and emotional responses in shaping our moral views, suggesting that morality is constructed rather than discovered.

Review Questions

• How does moral anti-realism differ from cognitivist theories in ethics?
  • Moral anti-realism differs from cognitivist theories by rejecting the idea that moral statements can be true or false based on objective facts. While cognitivists believe that moral claims express beliefs that can be assessed for truthfulness, moral anti-realists argue that these claims are rooted in subjective feelings or societal conventions. Therefore, moral anti-realism emphasizes the lack of an objective basis for morality, contrasting with cognitivist views which seek a foundation for moral knowledge.
• Discuss how non-cognitivist perspectives align with moral anti-realism in understanding moral language.
  • Non-cognitivist perspectives align with moral anti-realism by asserting that moral language does not communicate objective truths but instead conveys emotional reactions or prescriptions. For instance, when someone says, 'Stealing is wrong,' a non-cognitivist might interpret this as an expression of disapproval rather than a statement of fact. This aligns with moral anti-realism in denying the existence of objective moral truths, reinforcing the idea that morality is shaped by personal or cultural attitudes rather than universal standards.
• Evaluate the implications of adopting a moral anti-realist stance on discussions about universal human rights.
  • Adopting a moral anti-realist stance can significantly affect discussions about universal human rights by calling into question the objectivity of these rights. If there are no objective moral truths, then claims about universal human rights may simply reflect particular cultural values rather than universally applicable principles. This could lead to challenges in establishing common ground in international relations and ethical debates, as different cultures might prioritize different values without an agreed-upon framework to resolve conflicts. Ultimately, this perspective can complicate efforts to advocate for a shared understanding of human dignity and rights across diverse societies.

Related terms

Cognitivism:

The view that moral statements express beliefs that can be true or false, allowing for the possibility of moral knowledge.

Non-Cognitivism:

The position that moral statements do not express beliefs but rather emotional responses or prescriptive commands, which cannot be true or false.

Moral Realism:

The belief that there are objective moral facts that exist independently of human opinion, and moral statements can be true or false based on these facts.