Moral Realism

Question 1

Moral Realism

Answer 1

the belief that there are moral facts, in the same way that there are scientific facts
*in this view, any moral proposition can only be true or false

Question 2

Problems/Questions with Moral Realism:

Answer 2

1. If there are any moral facts, where do they come from?
2. Are these facts testable or falsifiable?

Question 3

Types of Moral Realism

Answer 3

Moral Absolutism/Objectivism
Moral Relativism
Truth Relativism

Question 4

Absolutism

Answer 4

There is right or wrong, and that is true in all circumstances. Either it is, or it is not
-denounces relativism, proves that truth cannot be relative since absolutism is the opposite

Question 5

Objectivism

Answer 5

There are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged
●
If something is wrong, it is wrong regardless of culture or circumstance

Question 6

Moral Relativism

Answer 6

More than one moral position on a given topic can be correct. The rejection of objectivism.
-moral standards do not have independent status but are relative to what individuals or cultures believe
-if no one can say you are wrong, then there is no right or wrong

Question 7

Truth Relativism

Answer 7

A relativisist would say “that is truthful to you, and there is no right or wrong”
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This leads to an impass. There is then no right or wrong

Question 8

Types of Moral Relativism

Answer 8

Cultural Relativism (Descriptive/Normative)
Subjective Relativism

Question 9

Descriptive Cultural Relativism

Answer 9

peoples moral beliefs differ from culture to culture

Question 10

Normative Cultural Relativism

Answer 10

it’s not your beliefs, but moral facts themselves that differe from culture to culture
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However, if every culture is the sole arbiter of what is right for it, then no culture can actually be wrong.
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Also implies that there is no moral progress

Question 11

Subjective Relativism

Answer 11

the individual is the sole arbiter of rightness
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But then, if one says something is right, then it is morally right and infallible
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This also means that moral standards HAVE to differ from eprson/culture to person/culture

Question 12

The Three Thesis of Moral Relativism:

Answer 12

The Diversity Theis
The Dependency Thesis (strongest)
Therefore

Question 13

The Diversity Thesis

Answer 13

What is considered morally right and wrong varies from society, so that there are no moral principles by all societies (weakest premise)

Question 14

The Dependency Thesis

Answer 14

All moral principles derive their validity from cultural acceptance (stronger thesis)

Question 15

The last Thesis of Relativism

Answer 15

there are no universally valid moral principles/objective standards which apply to all people everywhere and at all times

Question 16

Moral Equivalence

Answer 16

There is no difference between charity and murder if they have the same amount of moral value to different people

Question 17

Darius’ experiment w relativism

Answer 17

“If you tell one tribe to do as another, they will of course be repulsed.” Vaughn used this observation to make the point against cultural relativism