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. This viewpoint asserts that moral statements can be true or false based on these objective moral standards, which can be discovered rather than invented. In relation to legal positivism and natural law theory, moral realism raises questions about whether laws should reflect moral truths and how morality interacts with legal systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral realism stands in contrast to moral subjectivism, which denies the existence of objective moral facts.
2. Proponents of moral realism argue that moral claims can be verified or falsified by appealing to ethical reasoning or empirical evidence.
3. Moral realism supports the idea that laws should be evaluated against objective moral standards, influencing debates in both legal positivism and natural law theory.
4. Some philosophers argue that moral realism can provide a foundation for human rights and social justice, emphasizing the importance of ethics in law.
5. Critics of moral realism often raise concerns about the potential for moral disagreements and whether objective morality can truly exist in a pluralistic society.

Review Questions

• How does moral realism differentiate itself from other ethical theories like moral subjectivism?
  • Moral realism differentiates itself from moral subjectivism by asserting that there are objective moral facts that exist independently of individual beliefs or opinions. While moral subjectivism suggests that morality is based on personal feelings, leading to the conclusion that moral statements cannot be objectively true or false, moral realism holds that certain actions can be inherently right or wrong regardless of human perspectives. This distinction is crucial for understanding how laws may relate to objective morals, which is a central debate in legal philosophy.
• In what ways does moral realism influence the relationship between law and morality as discussed in natural law theory?
  • Moral realism influences natural law theory by asserting that there are universal moral principles derived from nature or reason that should guide legal systems. Natural law theorists argue that laws must align with these objective moral truths to be valid and just. This connection implies that if a law contradicts established moral facts, it may not be considered legitimate, thereby challenging purely positivist views that separate law from morality. The interplay between these theories highlights the ongoing debate about whether legal systems should reflect or adhere to objective ethical standards.
• Evaluate the implications of adopting a moral realist perspective in the context of legal positivism and natural law theory debates.
  • Adopting a moral realist perspective in discussions around legal positivism and natural law theory can significantly reshape our understanding of law's purpose and function. It suggests that laws should not only be seen as arbitrary rules set by humans but also as instruments that ought to reflect deeper ethical truths. This position challenges legal positivists who maintain that laws can exist independently of morality, pushing for a reevaluation of how laws interact with justice and ethics. Furthermore, embracing moral realism encourages the exploration of how laws might serve to promote human rights and welfare, positioning morality at the heart of legal discourse.

Related terms

Legal positivism: The theory that law is a set of rules and norms created by human beings and that it should be understood separately from morality.

Natural law theory: The belief that there are inherent moral laws derived from nature or reason that should inform legal systems.

Moral subjectivism: The view that moral judgments are based on personal feelings and opinions, suggesting that there are no objective moral truths.