Link: “Humanism, Moral Relativism, and Ethical Objectivity” by John Shook
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Charles Pidgen on the So-Called “Naturalistic Fallacy” in Meta-Ethics
A common objection to reductive moral naturalism (aka ‘ethical naturalism’) is the so-called “naturalistic fallacy.” This fallacy comes into flavors: logical and semantical. The Logical Form This version of the naturalistic fallacy is normally referred to as the is-ought fallacy, the fact-value fallacy, or, in honor of its author, Hume’s Law. The source of this form … Charles Pidgen on the So-Called “Naturalistic Fallacy” in Meta-Ethics
Interesting Book On an Argument for Moral Realism
I haven’t read this book, which was published last year. I’m posting this based solely on the description provided here. As someone interested in metaethics generally, I think the book looks very interesting. I’m skeptical, however, of the claim that “were it not for the existence of moral facts, we would not be able to perform … Interesting Book On an Argument for Moral Realism
Christian Philosopher Richard Swinburne on One Type of Moral Argument for God’s Existence
“Now if the basic moral principles are analytic, the existence of what they describe cannot provide an argument for the existence of God. An argument could only take off from the truth of some or all synthetic moral truths (e.g., from the fact that it is wrong to drop atomb bombs on Japan rather than … Christian Philosopher Richard Swinburne on One Type of Moral Argument for God’s Existence
God, Last Night’s Republication Debate, and Moral Disagreement
During last night’s prime-time Republican Presidential Candidate Debate, Fox News host Megyn Kelly said this: after the break, we’re going to let the candidates make their closing statements, their final thoughts, and God. Stay tuned for that. After the commercial break, Kelly said: “An interesting closing question from Chase Norton on Facebook, who wants to … God, Last Night’s Republication Debate, and Moral Disagreement
Another Christian Apologist Tears Down a Straw Man of Atheist Morality
My friend Wintery Knight (WK) has written another blog post on the topic of morality. Like so many other theists (and a few atheists), he manages to completely botch the topic of atheist morality. Who Speaks for Atheists, Anyway? If you want to determine Christian beliefs about something, you can see what the Bible and various representatives of … Another Christian Apologist Tears Down a Straw Man of Atheist Morality
What Are Objective Moral Values and Duties, Anyway?
The concept of “objective morality” is notorious for its ambiguity. You might even say that people–or, at least, philosophers–have a moral obligation not to use that expression unless and until they first give a very nuanced definition of what it means! Because the concept is often misunderstood, I’m going to try to offer a “layman’s … What Are Objective Moral Values and Duties, Anyway?
A Primer in Religion and Morality
My recent interview for the Atheistically Speaking podcast inspired me to compile this quick primer in religion and morality, in order to help clarify the many different concepts at play when we talk about morality with and without God. I consider this a work-in-progress so any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Update (5 May 2015): I have revised … A Primer in Religion and Morality
Some Thoughts on Naturalism and Morality
It is supposed, by some, to be difficult for naturalism to account for moral properties (both axiological properties like goodness and badness and deontic properties like rightness and wrongness). William Lane Craig and Paul Copan, have each argued incessantly that naturalism cannot account for moral properties. Craig has offered the following argument: This argument has … Some Thoughts on Naturalism and Morality
What Explains God’s Moral Grounding Power? Part II
In an earlier article, I wrote about a question for divine command metaethics, a question that I called the Moral Grounding Question. Moral Grounding Question (MGQ): In virtue of what do God’s commands ground moral obligations? (or, in virtue of what does God have MG-power?) In that previous post, I explained the moral grounding question … What Explains God’s Moral Grounding Power? Part II