What Philosophy Is

Moral Subjectivism

As you read the material for the next class, keep the questions below in mind. To answer these questions you will have to reflect critically on what you have read and possibly re-read important passages. Keep in mind that there are two basic kinds of information that you need to look for in the readings.

  1. What are the main points or conclusions that an author accepts with respect to a particular issue?
  2. What are the reasons or important considerations that lead the author to accept that conclusion?

For our purposes, it is information of the latter sort (2) that will be our primary concern since our most basic task is to evaluate the reasons that are offered to support accepting one possible conclusion about an issue, rather than another.

Although I strongly suggest that you write out brief answers to these questions, you do not have to turn in written responses. You do, however, need to be prepared to speak intelligently to these issues in the next class meeting. Also, it is reasonable to assume that the final exam’s questions will be drawn from these questions—particularly those in bold.

Readings:

  • David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (handout).
  • James Rachels, “Subjectivism in Ethics” (handout).

Questions:

  1. According to David Hume, why do some philosophers believe reason is the sole foundation of morality? Why do some believe it is rather sentiment (i.e., certain types of feelings and emotions)? What does Hume believe to be the proper roles of both reason and sentiment in morality? What arguments does he give to justify why morality can’t be grounded solely on reason or solely on sentiment?
  2. Why does James Rachels believe is Ethical Subjectivism such a popular position? What arguments does he make against both Simple Subjectivism and Emotivism? How does he believe a disagreement concerning homosexuality should be settled?
  3. Given that they reach different conclusions, Hume and Rachels cannot both be right. Where exactly in their respective arguments do they disagree? Which position is supported by the strongest and most compelling argument?

 

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