PHI-180-08 Unit 3: Ethical Objectivity (Whatever Happened to Good and Evil?)

Moral Skepticism

The denial of objective moral standards

Nihilism

Subjectivism

Relativism

Error Theory

Non-Cognitivism

Argument for Conviction v. "mere opinion"

If it was mere opinion then those who disagree aren't making a error

Argument for Moral Equivalence

1. If moral skepticism is true, then all moral statements are equally (in)correct

2. Not all moral statements are equally (in)correct

Therefore, moral skepticism is false.

What does progress require

A fixed standard

What would moral progress require

A fixed moral standard

What does Nihilism believe in terms of Moral Progress

There is no moral standard

What does Subjectivism believe in terms of Moral Progress

There is no fixed standard (the standard is the INDIVIDUAL)

What does Relativism believe in terms of Moral Progress

There is no fixed standard (the standard is the GROUP)

Dogmatism

arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief

Common Concern for Arrogance

If morality is objective, it gives us license to criticize or belittle others' beliefs