C-002MetaethicsConfidence: Medium
Ethics and Observation, Ch 1 of The Nature of Morality
Harman (1977)
One-Sentence Thesis
The nature of morality and whether moral principles can be tested and confirmed in the way scientific principles can is a fundamental issue in ethics.
Argument Outline
- 1Introduction to the basic issue of testing moral principles
- 2Presentation of a moral principle and its apparent confirmation through an example
- 3Presentation of a counterexample that disconfirms the moral principle
- 4Discussion of the nature of moral principles and their testing through thought experiments
- 5Comparison with scientific hypotheses and their testing through real experiments
- 6Introduction of the complication of observation being 'theory laden'
Key Distinctions
Moral principles vs. scientific principles
Thought experiments vs. real experiments
Observation vs. moral 'sense'
Key Terms
Moral principle
A principle that guides moral decision-making and action
Thought experiment
A hypothetical scenario used to test moral principles or scientific hypotheses
Theory laden
The idea that observations are influenced by the observer's theoretical framework or beliefs
Flashcards
12 cardsRelated Questions
4
Which of the following does Harman contrasts with in "Ethics and Observation, Ch 1 of The Nature of Morality"?
3
In Harman's "Ethics and Observation, Ch 1 of The Nature of Morality", Moral principles contrasts with which of the following?
3
In Harman's "Ethics and Observation, Ch 1 of The Nature of Morality", moral principle contrasts with which of the following?
3
In Harman's "Ethics and Observation, Ch 1 of The Nature of Morality", moral facts depends on which of the following?
4
According to Harman's discussion in 'The Nature of Morality', what is the primary challenge in testing moral principles, in contrast to scientific hypotheses?