Debunking Arguments in Metaethics and Metaphysics
In Alvin Goldman & Brian McLaughlin (eds.), Metaphysics and Cognitive Science (forthcoming)
Abstract
Evolutionary debunking arguments abound, but it is widely assumed that they do not arise for our perceptual beliefs about midsized objects, insofar as the adaptive value of our object beliefs cannot be explained without reference to the objects themselves. I argue that this is a mistake. Just as with moral beliefs, the adaptive value of our object beliefs can be explained without assuming that the beliefs are accurate. I then explore the prospects for other sorts of vindications of our object beliefs—which involve “bootstrapping” from our experiences as of midsized objects—and I defend bootstrapping maneuvers against a variety of objections. Finally, I argue for an explanatory constraint on legitimate bootstrapping and show how some attempts to respond to debunking arguments run afoul of the constraint.
Keywords
No keywords specified (fix it)
Categories
PhilPapers/Archive ID
KORDAI
Revision history
Archival date: 2017-09-29
View upload history
View upload history

Debunking Morality: Lessons From the EAAN Literature.Andrew Moon - 2017 - Pacific Philosophical Quarterly 98 (S1):208-226.

No citations found.
Added to PP index
2017-09-29
Total downloads
572 ( #3,470 of 37,117 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
58 ( #5,955 of 37,117 )
2017-09-29
Total downloads
572 ( #3,470 of 37,117 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
58 ( #5,955 of 37,117 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Monthly downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks to external links.