Moral intuitionism

Definition

Moral intuitionism is the philosophical theory that suggests individuals have a natural, instinctive ability to discern right from wrong through moral intuitions. This theory posits that our ethical beliefs are often shaped by emotional responses and immediate moral feelings rather than through rational deliberation alone. It connects to the idea of universal moral truths, asserting that these intuitions can lead us to recognize objective moral facts that apply universally.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral intuitionism asserts that moral knowledge can come from immediate, non-inferential judgments based on our emotional reactions.
2. Intuitionists believe that some moral truths are self-evident and can be recognized without needing to provide a further argument or justification.
3. This theory contrasts with ethical theories that emphasize reason and rationality as the primary means for determining moral truths.
4. Moral intuitionism has gained support from research in psychology, which shows that emotions play a significant role in moral decision-making.
5. Critics of moral intuitionism argue that intuitions can be biased or culturally influenced, raising questions about the reliability of moral intuitions as a source of ethical knowledge.

Review Questions

• How does moral intuitionism account for the role of emotion in ethical reasoning?
  • Moral intuitionism emphasizes that emotions play a crucial role in ethical reasoning by suggesting that our moral judgments often stem from immediate emotional reactions rather than purely rational deliberation. This means that when faced with a moral dilemma, individuals typically rely on their gut feelings or intuitions about what is right or wrong. These emotional responses serve as a foundational aspect of our moral understanding and contribute significantly to how we navigate ethical decisions.
• Discuss the implications of moral intuitionism for the concept of universal moral truths.
  • Moral intuitionism supports the idea of universal moral truths by suggesting that certain moral intuitions are shared across cultures and societies. If people can recognize similar ethical principles based on their emotional responses, it implies that there may be objective moral facts that transcend individual beliefs. This raises questions about how these universal truths can be identified and agreed upon, as well as how cultural differences in intuitions might affect our understanding of morality.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of moral intuitionism in relation to other ethical theories, such as consequentialism or deontology.
  • Moral intuitionism offers strengths such as its acknowledgment of the emotional basis for moral decision-making, which aligns with psychological findings on human behavior. However, its reliance on intuitions can be seen as a weakness, as critics argue that these intuitions may be inconsistent or influenced by cultural biases. In contrast, consequentialism focuses on outcomes and deontology emphasizes rules and duties, providing more structured frameworks for ethical reasoning. Thus, while moral intuitionism highlights an important aspect of morality, it may lack the rigor and universality found in other ethical theories.

Related terms

Ethical Subjectivism: The view that moral judgments are based on individual feelings or opinions, suggesting that there are no objective moral truths.

Moral Realism:

The belief that there are objective moral facts that exist independently of human beliefs or perceptions.

Emotivism:

The meta-ethical view that ethical statements express emotional responses rather than factual claims about the world.