Moral Relativism and Moral Objectivity

Do moral questions have objective answers? In this great debate, Gilbert Harman explains and argues for relativism, emotivism, and moral scepticism. In his view, moral disagreements are like disagreements about what to pay for a house; there are no correct answers ahead of time, except in relation to one or another moral framework.
Independently, Judith Jarvis Thomson examines what she takes to be the case against moral objectivity, and rejects it; she argues that it is possible to find out the correct answers to some moral questions. In her view, some moral disagreements are like disagreements about whether the house has a ghost.

Harman and Thomson then reply to each other. This important, lively accessible exchange will be invaluable to all students of moral theory and meta-ethics.

Sommario

Preface. Part I: Moral Relativism (Harman):.
1. Moral Relativism.
2. Social Contracts.
3. Expressing Basic Disagreement.
4. Universality of Practical Reasons?.
5. Judgements about Outsiders.
Part II: Moral Objectivity (Thomson):.
6. Epistemological Arguments for Moral Skepticism.
7. Emotivism.
8. Evaluations and Directives.
Part III: Responses:.
9. Harman's Response to Thomson's Part II.
10. Thomson's Response to Harman's Part I.
Bibliography.

Info autore

Gilbert Harman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Princeton. His publications include Thought (1973), The Nature of Morality (1977), and Change in View (1986). Judith Jarvis Thomson is Professor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her publications include The Realm of Rights (1990), and Rights, Restitution and Risk (1986).

Riassunto

Do moral questions have objective answers? In this great debate, Gilbert Harman explains and argues for relativism, emotivism, and moral scepticism. In his view, moral disagreements are like disagreements about what to pay for a house; there are no correct answers ahead of time, except in relation to one or another moral framework.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Gilbert Harman, G Harman, Gilbert Harman, Gilbert (Princeton University) Harman, Gilbert (Princeton University) Thomson Harman, Gilbert Thomson Harman, Harman Gilbert, Judith Thomson, Judith (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Thomson, Judith L. Thomson, Thomson Judith
• Editore: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 25.11.1995
• EAN: 9780631192114
• ISBN: 978-0-631-19211-4
• Pagine: 240
• Serie: Great Debates in Philosophy; Great Debates in Philosophy
• Categorie: Saggistica > Filosofia, religione > Filosofia: tematiche generali, opere di consultazione; Scienze sociali, diritto, economia > Scienze sociali, tematiche generali; Scienze umane, arte, musica > Filosofia > Tematiche generali, enciclopedie; PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Ethics & moral philosophy, Ethics and moral philosophy