Ethical Theory
Is Ethics Objective or Subjective?
Fact and Value

Facts are (mostly) empirical; values are not.
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“empirical” = relying on or derived from
observation or experience (American Heritage
Dictionary, 3rd Ed)
You cannot logically derive an “ought” from
an “is” – or a value from an empirical fact
“Is” and “Ought”
Empirical Reality:
Descriptive Claim:
This artifact has the overall shape of an elongated triangle
Prescriptive (Normative) Claim:
The Eiffel Tower is the most beautiful structure in Europe,
and every effort should be made to preserve it.
“Is” and “Ought”
Empirical Reality: Abortion
Descriptive Claim:
This is the termination of a pregnancy prior to term
Prescriptive (Normative) Claim:
This is murder (that is, the unjustified killing of an innocent
human being).
Fact and Value Again
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The natural world, as accessed through
experiment and observation, is aesthetically
and morally neutral.
The world of value seems to exist in our
relation to the natural world, or in what we
find worthy of valuing

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That which is beautiful
That which makes life worth living
That which seems “right” or “wrong”
So Why Think Ethical Values are
Objective?

Intuitive reasons

Some actions just seem wrong no matter what

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Public rape of a woman in the name of justice
Stoning of a woman for having “out of wedlock” sex
 Logical reasons
 Difference does not entail that no one is right
(someone could simply be mistaken)
 We do reason about our ethical decisions
The Metaphysical Status of Values

Still, it seems that values are “in here” and
not “out there”

Our questions then:
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Can ethical values/principles be objective, without
being empirical?
If possible, is ethical objectivism compatible with
mutual respect and tolerance of the differing views
of others?
A Hypothetical Moral Dilemma
You have told a dying friend, in private, that you will
see that her bequest will be given to her nephew
You discover that this nephew is wasting away his life
with drugs and gambling
You discover that a local hospital is sponsoring
research that will cure a serious and widespread
childhood disease.
What do you do?
Ethical Objectivism
Defense and Critique
Arguments for Objectivism

Reasoning in support of values or principles
can have objective weight

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Example: If human nature includes reason and
some degree of liberty, then respect for individual
autonomy is a value that promotes the flourishing
of human nature
Example: If humans recoil from cruel behavior,
then prohibitions against untoward suffering
support our natural inclinations
Arguments for Objectivism - 2

Fundamental values or principles are widely if
not universally shared

Basic principles can be differently
implemented in different contexts or cultures

Ethical decisions are reasoned decisions
Facts and Objectivity

Factual/Objective issues are those which can
be decided by reference to accepted
methods of investigation or accepted
practices

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
Mathematical facts
Theoretical entities (gravity, atoms, etc)
Objective issues are those which can be
decided by considerations beyond personal
emotion or prejudice
Arguments against Ethical Objectivism

There are no genuinely self-evident ethical
truths

The multiple facts of cultural or individual
disagreement provides empirical evidence for
ethical relativism (inductive argument)
Ethical Subjectivism
Why Be a Relativist?
Logically Poor Reasons

Everybody else is a relativist

This is one version of the claim that we should be
tolerant of other’s views
 Everybody has different ethical views
A factual claim; you can’t derive an “ought”
from an “is”

Empirical Reasons

Cultural Values/Ways of Life are different

There is a clear connection between
individual preferences and cultural/social
contexts

Because values are non-empirical, they
cannot be subject to empirical verification
Arguments against Relativism

The Cultural Connection
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The fact of difference does not justify difference
Intra-cultural debate suggests a non-cultural origin
of ethics/morals
The Metaphysical Connection
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With no morals, everything is permitted
(Dostoevsky)
Relativism is self-refuting: no claim – even the
relativist claim – is universally applicable