Subjectivism

Ethical Subjectivism – the view that our moral opinions are based on our feelings and nothing more. Ethical subjectivism is a meta-ethical theory Ethical subjectivism is a meta-ethical theory Does not tell us how we ought to live Does not tell us how we ought to live Does not tell us what specific actions are right or wrong Does not tell us what specific actions are right or wrong

Simple Subjectivism “x is morally acceptable” “x is morally acceptable” “x is right” “x is right” “x is good” “x is good” All these statements = “I (the speaker) approve of x” All these statements = “I (the speaker) approve of x”

Problems with Simple Subjectivism No one is infallible No one is infallible There cannot be moral disagreement (though in fact there is disagreement about moral issues). There cannot be moral disagreement (though in fact there is disagreement about moral issues).

Emotivism Emotivism does not view moral assertions as either true or false. Emotivism does not view moral assertions as either true or false. Reporting – “I (the speaker) approve of x” Reporting – “I (the speaker) approve of x” Expressing – “Hurrah for x” (does not express my feelings about x) Expressing – “Hurrah for x” (does not express my feelings about x) Moral statements are essentially commands, and not at all fact stating. Moral statements are essentially commands, and not at all fact stating.

Virtues of Emotivism Problem with fallibility is avoided since moral utterances are not true or false. Problem with fallibility is avoided since moral utterances are not true or false. Different senses of disagreement Different senses of disagreement Factual disagreement Factual disagreement Disagreements about what we think ought to happen Disagreements about what we think ought to happen Disagreements about attitudes Disagreements about attitudes Disagreements in attitude Disagreements in attitude

Problem with Emotivism Cannot account for good and bad reasoning in ethics. Cannot account for good and bad reasoning in ethics. If moral statements are commands intended to change the attitude/behavior of another, then any reason given that successfully changes someone’s attitude is morally appropriate. If moral statements are commands intended to change the attitude/behavior of another, then any reason given that successfully changes someone’s attitude is morally appropriate.

Proofs in Ethics Subjectivism and Emotivism are troubling because they seem to imply that reason is not an important element of morality. Subjectivism and Emotivism are troubling because they seem to imply that reason is not an important element of morality. “No Proof Argument” “No Proof Argument” (1) If there were any such things as objective truths in ethics, we should be able to prove that some moral opinions are true and others are false. (1) If there were any such things as objective truths in ethics, we should be able to prove that some moral opinions are true and others are false. (2) But in fact we cannot prove which moral opinions are true and which are false. (2) But in fact we cannot prove which moral opinions are true and which are false. (3) Therefore, there is no such thing as objective truth in ethics. (3) Therefore, there is no such thing as objective truth in ethics.

Objections to the “no proof argument” Inappropriate standard of proof i.e., ethics ≠ science Inappropriate standard of proof i.e., ethics ≠ science The difficult proofs in ethics are analogous to difficult proofs in science The difficult proofs in ethics are analogous to difficult proofs in science

10 Example: Geometry Point: No, length, no width, no depth. Point: No, length, no width, no depth. 10 Point

11 Infinite number of points in 2 directions Infinite number of points in 2 directions Line

12 Connect three lines and you get... Connect three lines and you get... Triangle

13 So what did you study in Geometry?