Moral realism

Definition

Moral realism is the philosophical view that there are objective moral facts and values that exist independently of human beliefs or feelings. This perspective suggests that moral statements can be true or false based on these objective standards, rather than being solely a product of social conventions or personal preferences. It emphasizes the idea that ethical truths are discoverable and not merely subjective opinions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral realism stands in contrast to moral relativism, which denies the existence of objective moral truths.
2. One of the key challenges to moral realism comes from evolutionary ethics, which argues that our moral beliefs are shaped by evolutionary processes rather than reflecting objective truths.
3. Moral realists often point to common moral intuitions across cultures as evidence for the existence of objective moral facts.
4. Moral realism is associated with cognitivist theories, asserting that moral claims can be objectively evaluated as true or false.
5. Critics of moral realism argue that if moral values are objective, then there should be universal agreement on moral issues, which is often not the case.

Review Questions

• How does moral realism challenge the views held by moral relativism?
  • Moral realism challenges moral relativism by asserting that there are objective moral truths that exist independently of human beliefs. While moral relativism posits that morality is determined by cultural or individual perspectives, moral realism argues that ethical statements can be objectively evaluated as true or false based on these independent moral facts. This fundamental difference highlights the ongoing debate between those who believe in universal ethical standards and those who think morality is entirely context-dependent.
• Discuss how evolutionary ethics critiques the concept of moral realism.
  • Evolutionary ethics critiques moral realism by suggesting that our moral beliefs and intuitions have developed through evolutionary processes aimed at enhancing survival and reproduction. If morality is rooted in evolutionary biology, this raises questions about the objectivity of moral truths claimed by realists. Instead of viewing morals as independent facts, critics argue that they are contingent upon biological and social factors, thereby undermining the argument for fixed, universal ethical standards.
• Evaluate the implications of accepting moral realism for ethical debates in contemporary society.
  • Accepting moral realism implies that ethical debates have a foundation in objective truths rather than subjective opinions or cultural norms. This perspective can strengthen arguments for certain ethical positions by appealing to universal moral facts, potentially guiding legislation and social policies. However, it also raises challenges when reconciling differing moral views across cultures, as it assumes a shared understanding of these objective truths. The acceptance of moral realism thus fosters important discussions about the nature of morality and its role in shaping societal values.

Related terms

Moral relativism: The belief that moral truths are not absolute but are relative to cultures, societies, or individual perspectives.

Ethical naturalism: The view that ethical properties and facts are reducible to natural properties and facts, often linking morality to the natural world.

Cognitivism: The theory in moral philosophy that ethical statements express beliefs that can be true or false, which aligns with the principles of moral realism.