Ethical Skepticism

Ayer, in his essay Critique of Ethics and Theology, argues that hefty concepts atomic number 18 non meaningful because they ar by trial and error unverifiable-- in that respect is no possible way of proving them dear or wrong. Ayer would relent that the statements argon meaningful if it were possible to leave behind some measuring by which one may make up ones mind between contrary [moral] intuitions(30). However, Ayer claims that no such measuring rod exists. Therefore, goodish statements are not statements of value, which can be tested and used scientific all(prenominal)y. Rather, they are mere expressions of feeling which cannot be categorized as true or false. John Rawls, in his essay, Outline of a Decision Procedure for Ethics, contests Ayers claim that moral philosophy is not literally large by attempting to provide an tar meet decision make criterion to help people pull moral judgements. This essay get out explicate Ayers speculation and argument as su bstantially as Rawls response. I desire to show that Rawls success aboundingy proves that in that respect is an objective decision making procedure which could provide data-based evidence toward verifying an ethical theory. First I allow explain Ayers theory. Ayer argues that in order for statements to have value, they mustiness be scientifically significant (27).

They must be semi semiempirical hypotheses that can be, at least(prenominal) in principle, objectively proved secure or wrong. Otherwise, they are unanalysable and are not actual concepts, only if pseudo-concepts, because they contain no factual content. Ayer then tries t o prove that all ethical statements are empi! rically unverifiable, and therefore mere pseudo-concepts. To do this, he examines and refutes subjectivist and functional philosophy, two theories which Ayer believes claim to be statements of empirical fact (28). He also distinguishes his theory from both the philosophical absolutist theory and radical subjectivism. Ayer and the Absolutist both check off that ethical statements are unverifiable, but for different reasons. The Absolutist...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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