Ethical intuitionism

Lesson designed for A-Level RS (EDUQAS)
Component 3 - Ethics

1. E - Ethical Intuitionism By the end of this lesson you will have: Learnt the features of ethical intuitionism Applied this to an Essay Considered the extent to which ethical intuitionism is a response to ethical naturalism

2. Spec Check AO1 AO2 Objective moral laws exist independently of human beings; moral truths can be discovered by using our minds in an intuitive way; intuitive ability is innate and the same for all moral agents; intuition needs a mature mind so not infallible; allows for objective moral values. H.A Prichard; ‘ought to do’ has no definition; recognition of what we ‘ought to do’ by intuition; two ways of thinking (general and moral) * The extent to which ethical statements are not objective. * Whether moral terms are intuitive. Challenges: No proof of moral intuition exists; intuitive ‘truths’ can differ widely; no obvious way to resolve conflicting intuitions

3. Starter - Cryptogram Complete the cryptogram on intuitionism on page 39 THEN: Discuss with your partner – what is intuitionism?

4. Intuitionism - Task Read workbook pages 40&41 on intuitionism and make notes on an A3 sheet of paper What do you think ethical intuitionism is? How is it different to Naturalism?

5. Moore’s Intuitionism Ethical values can’t be defined – e.g. I can’t say ‘it is wrong to kill’ However, there are moral truths which are self-evident – our intuition (gut instinct) (Objective moral laws exist independently of human beings) We discover these truths by reasoning and thinking about situations. (moral truths can be discovered by using our minds in an intuitive way) These truths are objective and exist independently of human beings – which just can’t make statements out of them. They are true for everyone. E.G everyone’s intuition teaches them that murder is wrong

6. Moore’s Intuitionism Moore’s evidence for this is that people tend to have the same gut feeling (or intuition) about certain moral truths. (intuitive ability is innate and the same for all moral agents) Therefore, some things are intrinsically right or wrong When you ask a group of people ‘what is good’ they have a similar intuition, but commit a fallacy if they start trying to define good in words For Moore, good is indefinable.

7. Moore’s Intuitionism However, Moore does concede that whilst moral truths are OBJECTIVE and most people have a mind mature enough to understand their intuition, not everyone has the ability to access their intuition (intuition needs a mature mind so not infallible) E.g Children or people with mental disturbances can’t access their intuition. This doesn’t mean that the moral truth doesn’t exist, it just means not everyone can access it

8. Prichard’s Intuitionism Prichard agreed with Moore on the basis of humans having an intuition which reveals moral truths TASK: Read Page 52 of your reading log on Prichard and draw a Venn diagram which represents the similarities and differences between Prichard’s and Moore’s ideas

9. H.A Prichard Agrees that no definition can be made of ‘ought’ Agrees that we all recognise the properties of ‘good’ Believed there were two types of thinking ; reason and intuition Reason = looks at the facts of a situation Intuition = shows us where our moral obligation lies So Intuition helps us answer moral truths, and reason helps us answer other worldly truths H.A Prichard; ‘ought to do’ has no definition; recognition of what we ‘ought to do’ by intuition; two ways of thinking (general and moral)

10. Essay Planning Using your essay planning booklet, let’s plan: ‘Explain Ethical Intuitionism’ (20)

11. Spec Check AO1 AO2 Objective moral laws exist independently of human beings; moral truths can be discovered by using our minds in an intuitive way; intuitive ability is innate and the same for all moral agents; intuition needs a mature mind so not infallible; allows for objective moral values. H.A Prichard; ‘ought to do’ has no definition; recognition of what we ‘ought to do’ by intuition; two ways of thinking (general and moral) * The extent to which ethical statements are not objective. * Whether moral terms are intuitive. Challenges: No proof of moral intuition exists; intuitive ‘truths’ can differ widely; no obvious way to resolve conflicting intuitions

12. Reading & Writing Read pages 41 and 52 of your textbook Each pair will be given a title to write a paragraph on. No proof of moral intuition exists I ntuitive ‘truths’ can differ widely N o obvious way to resolve conflicting intuitions

13. No proof of moral intuition exists Intuitionism may be considered meaningless as it is non-verifiable. We can’t actually prove empirically that intuitions exist This might mean people are reluctant to believe intuitionism This undermines its validity and its objectivity

14. Intuitive truths d iffer w idely In practise, children or people with mental difficulties may not be able to access their intuition Indeed, even adults of mature minds can have differing intuitions These can be influenced by religion and culture This makes it a challenge because it undermines the objectivity and validity

15. No way to resolve conflicting intuitions Some people have different intuitions as to what is right or wrong, despite us all apparently having access to an objective truth through intuition If two people have differing intuitions, how do you prove who is right or wrong. This could create conflict of opinion For example, some people’s intuitions believe sex before marriage is wrong, others tells them it is okay…how do we know who is right?

16. Spec Check AO1 AO2 Objective moral laws exist independently of human beings; moral truths can be discovered by using our minds in an intuitive way; intuitive ability is innate and the same for all moral agents; intuition needs a mature mind so not infallible; allows for objective moral values. H.A Prichard; ‘ought to do’ has no definition; recognition of what we ‘ought to do’ by intuition; two ways of thinking (general and moral) * The extent to which ethical statements are not objective. * Whether moral terms are intuitive. Challenges: No proof of moral intuition exists; intuitive ‘truths’ can differ widely; no obvious way to resolve conflicting intuitions

17. AO2 ‘Ethical statements are not objective’. Discuss ‘Moral terms are intuitive’. Discuss Write a point for and against the statement on your post it – and stick it on the board Come and read other responses on the board Complete an AO2 plan for one of these questions, in your lean learning sheet also