Thinking How to Live (Ch 13 and 14)

One-Sentence Thesis

Allan Gibbard's central thesis is that normative questions are, at base, questions of what to do, what to believe, and how to feel about things, and he develops a form of metaethical expressivism to explain normative concepts.

Argument Outline

1. 1Gibbard introduces the concept of normative concepts and their relation to facts and oughts
2. 2He critiques moral externalism and non-naturalism, arguing that moral thought can only be an outgrowth of moral concern
3. 3Gibbard develops a form of metaethical expressivism, which explains the meaning of normative terms by explaining what states of mind they can be used to express
4. 4He argues that expressivists, intuitionists, and naturalists converge to a large degree in what they say about normative concepts
5. 5Gibbard considers the implications of expressivism for explaining ethical concepts and responds to critiques of his account
6. 6He discusses the importance of plans and ideal response concepts in understanding normative concepts
7. 7Gibbard engages with other philosophers, such as Simon Blackburn and Peter Railton, and responds to their critiques and challenges

Key Distinctions

Key Terms