Debunking morality: Evolutionary naturalism and moral error theory

Biology and Philosophy 18 (4):567-581 (2003)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

The paper distinguishes three strategies by means of which empirical discoveries about the nature of morality can be used to undermine moral judgements. On the first strategy, moral judgements are shown to be unjustified in virtue of being shown to rest on ignorance or false belief. On the second strategy, moral judgements are shown to be false by being shown to entail claims inconsistent with the relevant empirical discoveries. On the third strategy, moral judgements are shown to be false in virtue of being shown to be unjustified; truth having been defined epistemologically in terms of justification. By interpreting three recent error theoretical arguments in light of these strategies, the paper evaluates the epistemological and metaphysical relevance of empirical discoveries about morality as a naturally evolved phenomenon.

Author's Profile

Hallvard Lillehammer
Birkbeck College, University Of London

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
1,338 (#7,450)

6 months
112 (#28,690)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?