Moral realism

Definition

Moral realism is the philosophical view that there are objective moral facts and values that exist independently of human beliefs or perceptions. It asserts that some moral statements can be true or false, regardless of individual or cultural opinions, grounding ethics in a reality that can be understood and discovered, much like scientific truths.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral realism argues that moral truths are universal and not subjective, meaning they apply to all rational beings regardless of personal beliefs.
2. Proponents of moral realism often appeal to moral intuitions or experiences as evidence for the existence of objective moral facts.
3. Moral realists typically reject relativism, arguing instead for a common ethical framework that can be understood through reason and inquiry.
4. This view contrasts with moral anti-realism, which holds that moral claims do not correspond to objective truths but rather reflect individual or cultural attitudes.
5. Philosophers like Derek Parfit and Peter Railton have contributed significantly to discussions about moral realism, offering arguments for its viability in contemporary ethics.

Review Questions

• How does moral realism differ from moral anti-realism in terms of the existence of moral truths?
  • Moral realism posits that objective moral truths exist independently of human beliefs, meaning that some moral statements can be universally true or false. In contrast, moral anti-realism denies this notion, asserting that moral values are contingent upon individual perspectives or cultural contexts. This fundamental difference highlights how moral realists seek an absolute foundation for ethics while anti-realists emphasize subjective interpretations.
• Discuss the implications of accepting moral realism for the field of metaethics and its inquiry into moral language and truth.
  • Accepting moral realism has significant implications for metaethics as it necessitates an exploration into how we understand and communicate about moral truths. Realists must confront questions regarding the nature of moral language—whether it refers to objective facts or merely expresses personal sentiments. This perspective also challenges metaethical inquiries about how we can know these moral truths and what criteria we should use to evaluate them, thereby influencing ongoing philosophical debates about ethics.
• Evaluate how contemporary philosophers defend moral realism against criticisms from relativism and subjectivism.
  • Contemporary philosophers defend moral realism by presenting arguments highlighting the universality of certain ethical principles that resonate across cultures, countering claims made by relativism and subjectivism. They often point to shared moral intuitions as evidence for objective truths that transcend individual perspectives. Furthermore, defenders argue that scientific discoveries about human nature can reveal underlying moral truths, thus establishing a robust framework for understanding ethics as a discipline grounded in reality rather than mere opinion.

Related terms

Moral Anti-Realism: The stance that denies the existence of objective moral facts, suggesting that moral values are constructed by social, cultural, or personal contexts.

Metaethics: The branch of philosophy that analyzes the nature, foundations, and meaning of ethical concepts and theories, focusing on what morality itself is.

Normative Ethics: A branch of ethics that explores the standards for right and wrong behavior and the principles that guide moral action.