What is moral intuition quasi-realism?

Moral intuition quasi-realism is a philosophical position within metaethics that seeks to reconcile the seemingly conflicting views of moral realism and moral anti-realism. It was developed by Simon Blackburn as a response to the challenges posed by the moral realism and anti-realism debate.

According to moral intuition quasi-realism, moral judgments are not objective facts about the world, as moral realists argue, nor are they mere expressions of subjective preferences or emotions, as moral anti-realists claim. Instead, moral judgments are seen as a combination of both cognitive and emotive elements.

The theory posits that moral judgments are based on our moral intuitions, which are immediate and non-inferential responses to moral situations. These intuitions are not derived from reason or empirical evidence but are rather a product of our moral sensibilities. They are akin to perceptual experiences, where we directly apprehend moral properties or facts.

However, moral intuition quasi-realism acknowledges that these moral intuitions do not correspond to mind-independent moral facts. Instead, they are considered as quasi-real, meaning they have a subjective element but also possess a certain degree of objectivity. This objectivity arises from the shared moral intuitions that individuals have, which can be influenced by cultural, societal, and evolutionary factors.

In this view, moral judgments are not true or false in the same way as empirical claims, but they can still be evaluated as more or less reasonable or coherent. Moral language is seen as a way to express our moral intuitions and engage in moral discourse, even though it does not refer to mind-independent moral truths.

Overall, moral intuition quasi-realism attempts to bridge the gap between moral realism and anti-realism by acknowledging the subjective nature of moral judgments while recognizing their shared and objective aspects. It provides a framework for understanding moral discourse and the role of moral intuitions in shaping our ethical beliefs.