subjectivism

Moral Objectivism: There are some objective moral facts.Moral Subjectivism: There are no objective moral facts. Statements of the form “x is right/good/moral” mean “I approve of x” and statements of the form “x is wrong/bad/immoral” mean “I disapprove of x”.

The Toleration Argument

1) Objectivism requires intolerance.2) Intolerance is wrong.3) Objectivism is false.

Science provides our paradigm of objectivity, and when we compare ethics to science, ethics seems to lack the features that make science so compelling. For example, it seems a great deficiency that there are no proofs in ethics. We can prove that the world is round, that there is no largest prime number, and that dinosaurs lived before human beings. But can we prove that abortion is right or wrong? The general idea that moral judgments can’t be proved sounds appealing.

-James Rachels  

The “No Proof” Argument

1) Moral claims can’t be proved.2) If something can’t be proved, it’s

not a fact.3) If there are no moral facts, then

Objectivism is false. 4) Objectivism is false.

Facts are statements that can be proven true. Opinions are statements that reflect the author’s feelings or views, and they cannot be proved true. 

-Common Core State Standards

The “No Proof” Argument

1) Moral claims can’t be proved.2) If something can’t be proved, it’s

not a fact.3) If there are no moral facts, then

Objectivism is false. 4) Objectivism is false.

anything that is done or happens; anything actually existent; any statement strictly true; truth; reality

-Webster’s Dictionary

The “No Proof” Argument

1) Moral claims can’t be proved.2) If something can’t be proved, it’s

not a fact.3) If there are no moral facts, then

Objectivism is false. 4) Objectivism is false.

The “No Proof” Argument

1) Moral claims can’t be proved.2) If something can’t be proved, it’s

not a fact.3) If there are no moral facts, then

Objectivism is false. 4) Objectivism is false.