Philosophy Metaethics Questions Medium
Moral skepticism is a philosophical position that questions or denies the possibility of objective moral truths or knowledge. It challenges the notion that there are universally valid moral principles or that moral judgments can be objectively justified. Moral skeptics argue that moral claims are subjective and vary across individuals, cultures, or historical periods, making it impossible to establish any objective moral standards.
There are different forms of moral skepticism, including moral relativism, moral subjectivism, and moral nihilism. Moral relativism posits that moral judgments are true or false only relative to a particular culture or society, and there are no universal moral truths. Moral subjectivism, on the other hand, argues that moral judgments are based on individual preferences or emotions, and there are no objective moral facts. Lastly, moral nihilism asserts that moral claims are entirely baseless and lack any inherent meaning or truth.
Moral skeptics often raise various arguments to support their position. One common argument is the disagreement argument, which highlights the wide range of moral disagreements among individuals and cultures throughout history. They argue that if there were objective moral truths, we would expect more consensus on moral issues. Another argument is the evolutionary explanation, which suggests that moral values and judgments are merely products of natural selection and do not possess any objective validity.
However, moral skepticism also faces criticisms. Critics argue that moral skepticism undermines the possibility of moral progress, as it denies the existence of objective moral standards that can guide ethical decision-making. Additionally, skeptics may struggle to provide a coherent account of moral motivation and the moral language we use in everyday life.
In conclusion, moral skepticism is a philosophical position that challenges the existence of objective moral truths or knowledge. It questions the possibility of universally valid moral principles and argues that moral judgments are subjective, varying across individuals, cultures, or historical periods. While moral skepticism presents compelling arguments, it also faces criticisms regarding moral progress and the nature of moral motivation.