Chapter ThreeChapter ThreeThe Case For Moral ObjectivismThe Case For Moral Objectivism

The theory that moral principles have The theory that moral principles have objective validity.objective validity.

This validity is independent of cultural This validity is independent of cultural acceptance. acceptance.

Moral principles are universal, but notMoral principles are universal, but not

necessarily without exception.necessarily without exception.

Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism

The view that there are universal The view that there are universal moral principles, valid for all people moral principles, valid for all people and all situations and times.and all situations and times.

Two Cases forTwo Cases forMoral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism

One explanation appeals to DivineOne explanation appeals to Divine Law and Human Sin.Law and Human Sin. Another explanation is Another explanation is Natural LawNatural Law which holds that morality is a which holds that morality is a function of human nature and thefunction of human nature and the moral principles can be found inmoral principles can be found in looking at humanity and society.looking at humanity and society.

Moral AbsolutismMoral Absolutism

The notion that there is only one The notion that there is only one morally correct answer to every morally correct answer to every moral problem.moral problem.

There are moral principles that aThere are moral principles that a

person ought never violate.person ought never violate. Moral norms are exceptionless.Moral norms are exceptionless.

Natural LawNatural Law

First appeared among the StoicsFirst appeared among the Stoics in first century BCEin first century BCE Stoics believed that humans hadStoics believed that humans had a divine spark – logos spermatikosa divine spark – logos spermatikos The universe is governed by rational The universe is governed by rational laws which all creation obeyslaws which all creation obeys Humans, however, have power ofHumans, however, have power of choicechoice

Natural LawNatural Law

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Combined cosmic law with Aristotle’sCombined cosmic law with Aristotle’s concept that humans, like everyconcept that humans, like every natural object, have a specificnatural object, have a specific purpose and function.purpose and function. Believed that the reasoning processBelieved that the reasoning process has the purpose to discover thesehas the purpose to discover these natural lawsnatural laws

Doctrine of Double EffectDoctrine of Double Effect

Four Conditions for an act to be Four Conditions for an act to be permissible:permissible:

• 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

Core MoralityCore Morality

Ten principles that are considered Ten principles that are considered necessary for the good life withinnecessary for the good life within

a flourishing human communitya flourishing human community

They are not arbitrary and constituteThey are not arbitrary and constitute the elements of a successful societythe elements of a successful society necessary for social cohesion andnecessary for social cohesion and personal well being.personal well being.

Examples of Core MoralityExamples of Core 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.

Principle of HumanityPrinciple of Humanity

Although there are many differencesAlthough there are many differences

between human beings andbetween human beings and

cultures, our basic nature is the cultures, our basic nature is the

same.same. We are all vulnerable to disease,We are all vulnerable to disease,

despair, and death.despair, and death. We have more in common than weWe have more in common than we

have in differences.have in differences.

Ethical SituationalismEthical Situationalism

Objective moral principles are to beObjective moral principles are to be

applied differently in different applied differently in different

contexts.contexts.

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