Contemporary Philosophy 20th Century Onward Questions Medium
Allan Gibbard is a prominent philosopher known for his contributions to contemporary ethical theory. He has proposed a unique ethical theory called "expressivism" or "norm-expressivism." This theory challenges traditional moral theories by focusing on the role of language and emotions in ethical judgments.
According to Gibbard, ethical statements are not meant to express objective facts about the world but rather serve as expressions of our attitudes, desires, and emotions. He argues that moral judgments are more akin to expressions of approval or disapproval rather than statements of truth or falsehood.
Gibbard's expressivism is rooted in the idea that moral language is primarily used to influence others and express our own values and commitments. He suggests that ethical statements are best understood as attempts to persuade or influence others to adopt our own moral outlook.
One key aspect of Gibbard's theory is the concept of "meaningful moral disagreement." He argues that moral disagreements are not simply disagreements about facts but rather disagreements about our attitudes and desires. In other words, when we engage in moral debates, we are not trying to discover the truth but rather trying to influence others to adopt our own moral stance.
Gibbard also emphasizes the importance of emotions in ethical judgments. He believes that our emotions play a crucial role in shaping our moral outlook and influencing our ethical decisions. According to him, emotions are not just subjective feelings but rather have an objective basis that can be understood through evolutionary and social factors.
Overall, Gibbard's ethical theory challenges the traditional notion of moral objectivity and instead focuses on the role of language, emotions, and persuasion in ethical judgments. His expressivism provides a unique perspective on ethics, highlighting the importance of understanding moral statements as expressions of attitudes and desires rather than objective truths.