Metaethics and the Error Theory

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Questions and Answers

How does Hume's Motivational Argument differentiate between moral judgments and beliefs?

Hume's argument posits that moral judgments can motivate on their own, while beliefs cannot.

What role do beliefs play in guiding actions according to the text?

Beliefs guide actions by attaching themselves to desires.

What implication does the expressivist view have on the truth status of moral claims?

Moral claims cannot be true or false according to expressivists.

According to expressivists, what are moral judgments considered to be?

Moral judgments are expressions of emotions, desires, or plans. Signup and view all the answers

What is the logical structure of the argument presented about torture and dehumanization?

The structure is: All actions that dehumanize are immoral; torture dehumanizes; therefore, torture is immoral. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core claim of the error theory regarding the existence of moral values?

The error theory claims that moral values are not objective realities and are instead human inventions. Signup and view all the answers

Why do scientists and philosophers value simplicity in theoretical explanations?

Simplicity is valued because, among competing theories that are otherwise equal, the simpler one is considered more likely to be true. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does the inability of moral claims to be true pose for moral argumentation?

It complicates the understanding of how moral arguments can support claims logically. Signup and view all the answers

How does the structure of the argument regarding torture relate to classical philosophical arguments?

It shares the same logical structure as classical arguments, such as those about mortality. Signup and view all the answers

What do error theorists need to explain about people's beliefs regarding morality?

Error theorists need to explain why people mistakenly believe in the reality of moral truths and the existence of moral knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What are the concerns surrounding the expressivist view of moral claims?

The main concern is how logical arguments can be preserved if moral claims lack truth value. Signup and view all the answers

What are some objectives attributed to the invention of morality according to error theorists?

Morality was invented to coordinate behavior, strengthen motivations against temptation, and cement power relations. Signup and view all the answers

How do error theorists differ from ethical objectivists in their approach to moral explanations?

Error theorists do not need to explain the objectivity of morality or categorical reasons, whereas ethical objectivists do. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mistaken objection people often have against the adoption of error theory?

People often worry that abandoning morality would lead to terrible results for society. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the error theory considered attractive for some philosophers?

Its simplicity allows it to avoid the complex explanations required by those who argue for moral objectivity. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the misunderstanding of morality play in the arguments of error theorists?

The misunderstanding leads people to believe in the objective nature of morality, which error theorists argue is a deception. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge that expressivists face regarding evidence of amoralism?

Expressivists must disqualify evidence suggesting that a person can lack moral motivation, insisting that such claims are either lies or self-deception. Signup and view all the answers

What consensus do ethical objectivists, ethical relativists, and error theorists share about moral judgments?

They agree that moral judgments are beliefs aimed at describing the actual moral features of things, which can be true or false. Signup and view all the answers

How do expressivists differ in their interpretation of moral judgments compared to ethical objectivists?

Expressivists deny that moral judgments aim to represent reality and assert that there are no moral features to be described. Signup and view all the answers

What example is used to illustrate the expressivist perspective on moral claims?

The claim that 'torture is immoral' is used to show how expressivists must interpret moral judgments without assigning specific moral features. Signup and view all the answers

What must egoists assert about evidence that supports altruism?

Egoists contend that individuals claiming to act altruistically must be deceiving themselves or lying about their true motivations. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do expressivists characterize moral judgments?

Expressivists view moral judgments not as descriptive beliefs but as expressions of emotional responses or attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of expressivists paraphrasing moral statements?

The implication is that expressivists cannot acknowledge any moral qualities assigned to actions or behaviors, which challenges traditional moral discourse. Signup and view all the answers

What burden do expressivists carry regarding the sincerity of moral claims?

Expressivists must show that individuals lacking moral motivation cannot sincerely make moral claims, or their claims must be interpreted differently. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main criticisms against error theory, and why are they considered problematic?

The criticisms are that disaster would result from acceptance of error theory and that its defenders are untrustworthy. They are problematic because they rely on potential consequences and untrustworthiness rather than addressing the validity of the theory itself. Signup and view all the answers

According to expressivism, what does it mean to say that stealing is wrong?

It means expressing a negative attitude or emotional response toward stealing rather than asserting a factual claim about stealing. This perspective views moral statements as reflections of our attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the ability of people to make logical arguments about moral issues challenge expressivism?

It challenges expressivism because it suggests that moral judgments may be based on rational discourse rather than mere expressions of feelings. This implies a cognitive dimension to morality that expressivism struggles to account for. Signup and view all the answers

What is an amoralist, and can expressivism explain the concept of such a person?

An amoralist is someone who does not hold any moral beliefs or judgments. Expressivism struggles to make sense of such a person because it relies on the expression of attitudes, which an amoralist lacks. Signup and view all the answers

How does expressivism relate to the process of forming one's own moral judgments?

Expressivism suggests that when forming moral judgments, individuals are expressing their own emotional responses and attitudes rather than making objective assessments. However, whether this accurately reflects the complexity of moral reasoning can be debated. Signup and view all the answers

What does the author suggest about actions that fulfill moral duties but lack moral worth?

These actions are required but do not necessarily have moral value or deserve praise. Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what should the degree of punishment correspond to?

The degree of punishment should match the degree of wrongdoing. Signup and view all the answers

How does the author view the reliability of people's claims about their intentions?

The author believes people are generally trustworthy and their testimony about their intentions is usually reliable. Signup and view all the answers

What stance do most individuals take toward their moral claims, according to the text?

Most individuals regard their moral claims as true and reject expressivist interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

How might expressivists struggle with the claims made in the passage?

Expressivists would find it challenging to reword these claims as commands or emotional expressions. Signup and view all the answers

What moral issue does the author raise regarding war and military generals?

The author questions the virtue of military generals if war is deemed immoral. Signup and view all the answers

What does virtue serve as, according to the author?

Virtue is considered its own reward. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of moral judgments does the author emphasize in relation to opponents' views?

The author emphasizes that we view our opponents' moral claims as false. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Moral Values and Error Theory

Assumption made that sciences will not validate the existence of moral values, rendering them as extras.
Simplicity is considered a critical virtue in theoretical frameworks; simpler theories are preferred when competing theories are otherwise equal.
The error theory is recognized for its simplicity, explaining why it doesn't require justifications for the objectivity of morality or the presence of categorical reasons.
Ethical objectivism faces challenges in explaining moral objectivity, often met with philosophical controversies.
Error theorists argue that morality is a human invention, created for social purposes like coordinating behavior and solidifying power dynamics.

Motivational Argument and Expressivism

Moral judgments are claimed to motivate action independently, unlike beliefs that require desires for motivation.
David Hume’s Motivational Argument proposes that moral judgments motivate without needing belief.
Expressivists characterize moral judgments as expressions of emotions or desires rather than beliefs, suggesting they can't be deemed true or false.

Challenges Faced by Expressivism

Concerns arise regarding the logical framework of moral arguments if moral claims lack truth status.
Traditional logical arguments follow a truth-preserving structure; expressivism complicates this since moral claims are not true or false.
Expressivists may need to dismiss obvious evidence of amoralism, justifying that perceived lack of motivation equates to deceit or self-deception.

Nature of Moral Judgment

Ethical objectivists, relativists, and error theorists agree that moral judgments aim to describe the moral qualities of actions, making them amenable to being true or false.
Expressivists contradict this view, denying moral properties and accurate representations in moral judgments.
Moral claims such as "torture is immoral" are challenged by expressivists in terms of their assertive nature and potential truth.

Understanding Moral Claims

There exists a distinction between fulfilling moral duties versus possessing moral worth; moral evaluations can vary significantly.
Many people perceive their moral claims as true, which contradicts expressivist tendencies to classify them as mere expressions.

Critiques of Error Theory

Some critics argue that accepting error theory could lead to disastrous outcomes for societal morality.
Doubts about the trustworthiness of error theory proponents further challenge its credibility.

Key Terms

Ad Hominem Attack: A fallacy that involves attacking the person rather than the argument.
Categorical Reasons: Reasons that apply universally and are not contingent on personal inclinations.
Error Theory: The belief that moral discourse is fundamentally flawed or mistaken.
Expressivism: The theory that moral statements express emotional responses rather than describe moral facts.
Fact-Value Distinction: The differentiation between factual statements and value judgments.
Metaphysical Moral Nihilism: The view that there are no moral truths at all.

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