Philosophy Metaethics Questions Medium
Moral intuitionism is a metaethical theory that posits that moral knowledge is derived from our moral intuitions or immediate, non-inferential judgments about what is morally right or wrong. According to moral intuitionists, these intuitions are not based on reasoning or empirical evidence, but rather they are innate or acquired through moral education and upbringing.
Moral intuitionists argue that moral truths are objective and independent of individual beliefs or cultural norms. They believe that there are moral facts or principles that exist in the world and can be discovered through our intuitions. These intuitions are considered to be a reliable source of moral knowledge, similar to how our senses provide us with knowledge about the physical world.
One key aspect of moral intuitionism is the notion of moral perception. Just as we perceive the physical world through our senses, moral intuitionists argue that we can perceive moral truths through our intuitions. They claim that these intuitions are immediate and self-evident, requiring no further justification or reasoning.
Critics of moral intuitionism argue that relying solely on intuitions can lead to subjective and inconsistent moral judgments. They contend that intuitions can be influenced by personal biases, cultural conditioning, or emotional responses, which may undermine the objectivity of moral knowledge. Additionally, opponents argue that moral intuitionism fails to provide a satisfactory account of moral disagreement, as different individuals may have conflicting intuitions about the same moral issue.
Despite these criticisms, moral intuitionism remains a significant theory in metaethics, offering an alternative perspective to other theories such as moral relativism or moral skepticism. It emphasizes the role of intuition in moral decision-making and highlights the importance of our immediate moral judgments in understanding the nature of morality.