Chapter Three:Chapter Three:Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism

The position of moral objectivism: There are The position of moral objectivism: There are objective moral principles, valid for all people objective moral principles, valid for all people and all social environmentsand all social environments

Several versions of this view will be examined Several versions of this view will be examined but ultimately but ultimately moderate objectivisimmoderate objectivisim will be will be acceptedaccepted

Moral AbsolutismMoral AbsolutismThe view that there are nonoverrideable moral The view that there are nonoverrideable moral principles that one ought never violate. Moral principles that one ought never violate. Moral principles are exceptionlessprinciples are exceptionless

Moral objectivism shares notion that principles Moral objectivism shares notion that principles have universal, objective validityhave universal, objective validityObjectivism however denys moral norms are Objectivism however denys moral norms are necessarily exceptionlessnecessarily exceptionless

Aquinas's Objectivism and Aquinas's Objectivism and AbsolutismAbsolutism

Aquinas follows an objectivist Aquinas follows an objectivist approach called approach called natural law theorynatural law theory

Aquinas was a moral absolutist, and he Aquinas was a moral absolutist, and he developed the doctrine of double effectdeveloped the doctrine of double effect

Natural Law TheoryNatural Law Theory

Natural Law Theory is the view that Natural Law Theory is the view that there exists an eternal moral law that there exists an eternal moral law that can be discovered through reason by can be discovered through reason by looking at the nature of humanity looking at the nature of humanity and society.and society.

Natural Law TheoryNatural Law Theory

First appeared among the StoicsFirst appeared among the Stoics in first century BCEin first century BCEStoics believed humans haveStoics believed humans have a divine spark, a divine spark, logos spermatikos, logos spermatikos, enabling enabling discovery of eternal lawsdiscovery of eternal lawsThe universe is governed by rationalThe universe is governed by rational laws which all creation obeyslaws which all creation obeysHumans, however, have power ofHumans, however, have power of choicechoice

Natural Law TheoryNatural Law Theory

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Aquinas combined cosmic law with Aristotle’s Aquinas combined cosmic law with Aristotle’s concept that humans, like every natural object, concept that humans, like every natural object, have a specific nature, purpose, and function.have a specific nature, purpose, and function.

For Aquinas, reason's deliberative processes For Aquinas, reason's deliberative processes discover the natural lawsdiscover the natural laws

Doctrine of Double EffectDoctrine of Double EffectProvides a tidy method for solving all moral Provides a tidy method for solving all moral disputes in which an act will have two effects, disputes in which an act will have two effects, one good and the other badone good and the other badFour Conditions that must be satisfied for moral Four Conditions that must be satisfied for moral permissibility:permissibility:•The nature-of-the-act conditionThe nature-of-the-act condition•The means-end conditionThe means-end condition•The right-intention conditionThe right-intention condition•The proportionality conditionThe proportionality condition

Problems with theProblems with theDoctrine of Double EffectDoctrine of Double Effect

Some prescriptions seem counterintuitiveSome prescriptions seem counterintuitiveNot always clear how closely an effect must be Not always clear how closely an effect must be connected with the act to be counted as the connected with the act to be counted as the intended actintended actProblem of how to describe an actProblem of how to describe an actTied closely to a teleological view of human Tied closely to a teleological view of human naturenatureAlternatives: Alternatives: Prima facie dutiesPrima facie duties

Moderate ObjectivismModerate Objectivism

If we can establish or show that it is reasonable If we can establish or show that it is reasonable to believe that there is to believe that there is at least one objective at least one objective moral principlemoral principle that is binding on all people then that is binding on all people then we will have shown that relativism is probably we will have shown that relativism is probably false and that a limited objectivism is truefalse and that a limited objectivism is true

Core MoralityCore Morality

Principles necessary for the good life within a Principles necessary for the good life within a flourishing human communityflourishing human community

They are not arbitrary and we can give reasons that They are not arbitrary and we can give reasons that explain why they are constitutive elements of a explain why they are constitutive elements of a successful society, necessary for social cohesion andsuccessful society, necessary for social cohesion and

personal well-being.personal well-being.

Principles that are examples of Principles that are examples of the the Core MoralityCore Morality

Do not kill innocent people.Do not kill innocent people.

Do not lie or deceive.Do not lie or deceive.

Do not steal or cheat.Do not steal or cheat.

Keep your promises and honor yourKeep your promises and honor your contracts.contracts.

Our Common Human NatureOur Common Human Nature

An objectivist bases his or her moral system on An objectivist bases his or her moral system on a common human nature with common needs a common human nature with common needs and desires.and desires.

There is more that unites all humanity than There is more that unites all humanity than divides us.divides us.

Ethical SituationalismEthical Situationalism

Objective moral principles are to beObjective moral principles are to be

applied differently in differentapplied differently in different

contexts.contexts.

Different from ethical relativism which denies Different from ethical relativism which denies universal ethical principles altogether.universal ethical principles altogether.