What is moral intuition fictionalism?

Moral intuition fictionalism is a philosophical position within metaethics that suggests moral intuitions are not reliable indicators of objective moral truths, but rather fictional constructs or illusions. According to this view, moral intuitions are not based on any objective moral facts or properties in the world, but are instead products of our imagination or cultural upbringing.

Proponents of moral intuition fictionalism argue that moral intuitions are subjective and vary across individuals and cultures, making it difficult to establish any universal moral truths. They contend that our moral intuitions are shaped by various factors such as personal experiences, social conditioning, and evolutionary influences, rather than being grounded in any objective moral reality.

Moral intuition fictionalism challenges the notion that moral intuitions provide us with direct access to moral truths. Instead, it suggests that moral intuitions are akin to fictional stories or narratives that we create to make sense of the world and guide our behavior. These fictional constructs may be useful in promoting social cohesion and cooperation, but they do not correspond to any objective moral reality.

Critics of moral intuition fictionalism argue that it undermines the objectivity of morality and opens the door to moral relativism. They contend that if moral intuitions are merely fictional constructs, then there is no basis for distinguishing between moral claims and personal preferences or opinions. Additionally, they argue that moral intuition fictionalism fails to account for the possibility of moral progress or improvement, as it denies the existence of objective moral truths to strive towards.

In conclusion, moral intuition fictionalism is a philosophical position that challenges the reliability and objectivity of moral intuitions. It suggests that moral intuitions are fictional constructs rather than indicators of objective moral truths. While this view raises important questions about the nature of morality, it also faces criticism for potentially undermining the objectivity and progress of moral reasoning.