Answering Moral Skepticism

Shelly Kagan's book "Answering Moral Skepticism" provides an accessible defense of the belief in objective moral truth, addressing questions about moral disagreement, the nature of moral facts, and their place in a scientific worldview. It offers plausible answers to skeptical challenges and is of interest to students of metaethics and anyone concerned with the objectivity of their moral judgments.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Most thoughtful people have pondered the existence of objective moral truth at some point. They may question, for instance, whether the prevalence of moral disagreement justifies the conclusion that there are no moral facts at all. They could also be bothered by issues like these: What could objective moral facts possibly be like? Isn't it obvious that morality is simply relative to particular societies and particular times? How could we ever come to know anything about moral facts if they existed? Can morality really have the motivating and rational force we normally attribute to it? How can one possibly find a place for objective moral values in a scientific worldview?

Some people are led to the conclusion that we should reject morality altogether by these questions, denying the very existence of anything deserving of the name. In Answering Moral Skepticism, Shelly Kagan demonstrates how those who accept the existence of objective moral truth can provide plausible answers to these questions. Throughout, Kagan focuses on issues that trouble reflective individuals, providing an accessible defense of the belief in objective morality that will be of interest to both students of metaethics and anyone concerned about the objectivity of their own moral judgments.

The idea that there is an objective moral truth has long been debated among philosophers. Some argue that moral values are inherent in human nature and that they are universal, while others believe that morality is relative to cultural and historical contexts. Kagan argues that both perspectives are flawed and that there is an objective moral truth that can be discovered through reason and evidence.

One of the main challenges to the existence of objective moral truth is the prevalence of moral disagreement. Kagan argues that this disagreement does not necessarily mean that there are no moral facts at all. Instead, it suggests that there are different perspectives on moral issues and that different people have different moral values. Kagan suggests that we can identify objective moral truths by looking at the evidence and reasoning behind different moral claims.

For example, Kagan argues that the claim that killing is always wrong is supported by evidence that killing causes harm to others. This evidence suggests that there is an objective moral truth that killing is always wrong, regardless of cultural or historical context. Similarly, Kagan argues that the claim that slavery is always wrong is supported by evidence that slavery causes harm to others. This evidence suggests that there is an objective moral truth that slavery is always wrong, regardless of cultural or historical context.

Another challenge to the existence of objective moral truth is the idea that morality is simply relative to particular societies and particular times. Kagan argues that this perspective is flawed because it fails to recognize the universal nature of human morality. Kagan suggests that we can identify objective moral truths by looking at the universal principles of morality that apply to all human beings, regardless of their cultural or historical context.

For example, Kagan argues that the principle of respect for the autonomy of others is a universal principle of morality that applies to all human beings, regardless of their cultural or historical context. This principle suggests that we should respect the rights and dignity of others and that we should not treat them as objects or slaves.

Kagan also argues that the existence of objective moral truths can be reconciled with a scientific worldview. Kagan suggests that science can provide evidence for the existence of objective moral truths by looking at the natural world and the behavior of living organisms. For example, Kagan argues that the existence of natural laws that govern the behavior of living organisms suggests that there is an objective moral truth that governs the behavior of living organisms.

In conclusion, the existence of objective moral truth has long been debated among philosophers. Some argue that moral values are inherent in human nature and that they are universal, while others believe that morality is relative to cultural and historical contexts. Kagan argues that both perspectives are flawed and that there is an objective moral truth that can be discovered through reason and evidence. Kagan suggests that we can identify objective moral truths by looking at the evidence and reasoning behind different moral claims and by recognizing the universal principles of morality that apply to all human beings, regardless of their cultural or historical context. Kagan also argues that the existence of objective moral truths can be reconciled with a scientific worldview by looking at the natural world and the behavior of living organisms.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197688984