Ethical Realism

Examines metaethical view known as 'Ethical Realism', positing objective ethical truth as part of reality, examining support and challenges.

William J. FitzPatrick (Author)

9781108706414, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 February 2022

75 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 0.5 cm, 0.14 kg

This Element examines the many facets of ethical realism and the issues at stake in metaethical debates about it—both between realism and non-realist alternatives, and between different versions of realism itself. Starting with a minimal core characterization of ethical realism focused on claims about meaning and truth, we go on to develop a narrower and more theoretically useful conception by adding further claims about objectivity and ontological commitment. Yet even this common understanding of ethical realism captures a surprisingly heterogeneous range of views. In fact, a strong case can be made for adding several more conditions in order to arrive at a proper paradigm of realism about ethics when understood in a non-deflationary way. We then develop this more robust realism, bringing out its distinctive take on ethical objectivity and normative authority, its unique ontological commitments, and both the support for it and some challenges it faces.

Introduction
1. What is Ethical Realism?
2. Going Further: Why More is Plausibly Needed
3. Ardent Ethical Realism and the Value-Laden World
4. Support and Challenges.

Subject Areas: Social & political philosophy [HPS], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ], History of Western philosophy [HPC]