Chapter3: Moral Objectivism

1. Chapter ThreeChapter Three
The Case For Moral ObjectivismThe Case For Moral Objectivism
The theory that moral principles have The theory that moral principles have
objective validity.objective validity.
This validity is independent of cultural This validity is independent of cultural
acceptance. acceptance.
Moral principles are universal, but notMoral principles are universal, but not
necessarily without exception.necessarily without exception.

2. Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism
The view that there are universal The view that there are universal
moral principles, valid for all people moral principles, valid for all people
and all situations and times.and all situations and times.

3. Two Cases forTwo Cases for
Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism
One explanation appeals to DivineOne explanation appeals to Divine
Law and Human Sin.Law and Human Sin.
Another explanation is Another explanation is Natural LawNatural Law
which holds that morality is a which holds that morality is a
function of human nature and thefunction of human nature and the
moral principles can be found inmoral principles can be found in
looking at humanity and society.looking at humanity and society.

4. Moral AbsolutismMoral Absolutism
The notion that there is only one The notion that there is only one
morally correct answer to every morally correct answer to every
moral problem.moral problem.
There are moral principles that aThere are moral principles that a
person ought never violate.person ought never violate.
Moral norms are exceptionless.Moral norms are exceptionless.

5. Natural LawNatural Law
First appeared among the StoicsFirst appeared among the Stoics
in first century BCEin first century BCE
Stoics believed that humans hadStoics believed that humans had
a divine spark – logos spermatikosa divine spark – logos spermatikos
The universe is governed by rational The universe is governed by rational
laws which all creation obeyslaws which all creation obeys
Humans, however, have power ofHumans, however, have power of
choicechoice

6. Natural LawNatural Law
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Combined cosmic law with Aristotle’sCombined cosmic law with Aristotle’s
concept that humans, like everyconcept that humans, like every
natural object, have a specificnatural object, have a specific
purpose and function.purpose and function.
Believed that the reasoning processBelieved that the reasoning process
has the purpose to discover thesehas the purpose to discover these
natural lawsnatural laws

7. Doctrine of Double EffectDoctrine of Double Effect
Four Conditions for an act to be Four Conditions for an act to be
permissible:permissible:
•The nature of the act conditionThe nature of the act condition
•The means-end conditionThe means-end condition
•The right-intention conditionThe right-intention condition
•The proportionality conditionThe proportionality condition

8. Core MoralityCore Morality
Ten principles that are considered Ten principles that are considered
necessary for the good life withinnecessary for the good life within
a flourishing human communitya flourishing human community
They are not arbitrary and constituteThey are not arbitrary and constitute
the elements of a successful societythe elements of a successful society
necessary for social cohesion andnecessary for social cohesion and
personal well being.personal well being.

9. Examples of Core MoralityExamples of Core Morality
Do not kill innocent people.Do not kill innocent people.
Do not lie or deceive.Do not lie or deceive.
Do not steal or cheat.Do not steal or cheat.
Keep your promises and honor yourKeep your promises and honor your
contracts.contracts.

10. Principle of HumanityPrinciple of Humanity
Although there are many differencesAlthough there are many differences
between human beings andbetween human beings and
cultures, our basic nature is the cultures, our basic nature is the
same.same.
We are all vulnerable to disease,We are all vulnerable to disease,
despair, and death.despair, and death.
We have more in common than weWe have more in common than we
have in differences.have in differences.

11. Ethical SituationalismEthical Situationalism
Objective moral principles are to beObjective moral principles are to be
applied differently in different applied differently in different
contexts.contexts.
Different from ethical relativism Different from ethical relativism
which denies universal ethical which denies universal ethical
principles altogether.principles altogether.