Hood, Callum (2010). Ethics, intentions and judgement-dependence. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.
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Abstract
Error-theories and non-cognitivism about ethical discourse face tremendous obstacles, often stemming from their rejection of the truth of ethical assertions. However, I argue in that generic realism about ethical discourse is equally unattractive. Crispin Wright’s judgement-dependence allows for the rejection of generic realism without implausibly rejecting the truth of the distinctive assertions of a discourse. I show how Wright speedily dismisses the judgement-dependence of truth in ethics, but suggest that he has been too quick, ignoring some ways in which a stronger case could have been made in its favour. However, these suggestions do not address the fact that ethical discourse violates one of Wright’s fundamental conditions on judgement-dependent accounts. Wright is able to argue that the ‘grammar’ of intention discourse allows a form of judgement-dependence to be salvaged despite its violation of the conditions on judgement-dependence. The major project of this essay is to investigate the application of this strategy to ethical discourse, although I argue that the strategy must ultimately fail. I suggest why Wright’s strategy worked for intention but not ethics, and conclude that the failure of judgement-dependence for ethics encourages us to seek a plausible judgement-independent account of the discourse.
Type of Work: | Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.) |
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Award Type: | Masters by Research > M.Phil. |
Licence: | |
College/Faculty: | Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Arts & Law |
School or Department: | School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, Department of Philosophy |
Funders: | None/not applicable |
Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics |
URI: | http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/1197 |
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