Ethical Objectivism Chapter 21

Ethical objectivism is the view that moral claims have an objective status and that there is a correct moral code that is true regardless of individual opinions.

Individuals should approach discovering moral truths with humility and an open mind, recognizing their intellectual limitations.

Ethical objectivism is not a license for dogmatism because it acknowledges that individuals and societies do not have the final say on what is right and wrong.

<p>Being open to correction in moral discussions is significant because it allows for the pursuit of true moral standards, recognizing that our understanding may evolve.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage suggests that, like astronomers and chemists who maintain wonder and recognize their limitations, ethicists should also adopt a similar mindset when engaging with moral truths.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author implies that ethical objectivism makes attaining moral wisdom more challenging because it recognizes that moral truths are not determined by consensus or individual beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The text addresses this concern by stating that misapplication of ethical objectivism reflects the failings of certain individuals, not the theory itself.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage suggests that ethical objectivism can promote intellectual growth by encouraging individuals to be open-minded and willing to learn from different perspectives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It implies that moral views supporting both tolerance and repression are equally valid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Individuals may see tolerance as universally beneficial because it promotes coexistence and reduces conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It argues that these views are not as plausible as those that support tolerance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It suggests that legitimate cultural differences in morality can exist, which may contradict objective moral standards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Critics argue that ethical objectivism threatens tolerance by claiming some moral codes are better than others, leading to potential oppression of differing views.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ethical objectivism can support the idea that tolerance is morally required, even for those who reject it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Deeply intolerant societies can be seen as having equally valid moral views if individual beliefs are the measure of morality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Accepting all moral views as equally valid implies that both tolerant and intolerant perspectives hold the same merit, undermining the value of tolerance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Argument from Tolerance suggests that if ethical objectivism is true, then not all moral views are equally plausible, thereby diminishing the value of tolerance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ethical objectivism supports tolerance by providing a basis for rejecting intolerant views as less plausible than more ethical ones.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The example of not offering cattle as a proposal gift is given to illustrate acceptable cultural variation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<ol> <li>Tolerance is valuable only if the moral views of different people are equally plausible. 2. If ethical objectivism is true, then the moral views of different people are not equally plausible.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It states that such actions are universally wrong, regardless of cultural context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The second premise is considered true because ethical objectivism clearly rejects the idea of moral equivalence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>If all moral views are seen as equally valid, then a committed bigot's perspective would be as acceptable as any other, which trivializes the concept of tolerance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The passage suggests that ethical objectivism provides a stronger foundation for promoting genuine tolerance by distinguishing between better and worse moral codes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Occam's razor advises us never to multiply entities beyond necessity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It suggests that we should not believe in ghosts, as their existence is unnecessary to explain phenomena like spooky feelings or creaking noises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>We can justify belief in something's existence only if science can verify it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The conclusion is that we are not justified in believing that objective moral values exist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Critics consider objective values to be unnecessary for explaining the workings of the world, similar to ghosts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Molecular structure, biological adaptations, and heat transfer are mentioned.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It implies that ethical objectivists cannot be justified in believing that any objective moral standards exist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>For a moral standard to be objective, it must apply universally to all individuals, regardless of personal beliefs or desires.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ethical objectivism is the view that there are objective moral standards that apply to everyone, regardless of individual beliefs or desires.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Moral claims are considered objectively true when they accurately represent objective moral standards and what these standards require or allow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>One primary attraction of ethical objectivism is its ability to provide a consistent framework for moral standards where relativism and nihilism struggle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ethical objectivism faces challenges primarily from relativism and nihilism, which present difficulties in defending their positions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The philosophical tool is called Occam's razor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The three main positions are ethical objectivism, ethical relativism, and nihilism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>This implies that moral truths exist independently of individual beliefs and perceptions, reinforcing the objectivity of moral standards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>If relativism and nihilism are successfully debunked, ethical objectivism is left standing as the correct account of ethics.</p> Signup and view all the answers