G. E. Moore

Definition

G. E. Moore was a British philosopher known for his significant contributions to ethics and the philosophy of language, particularly through his defense of common sense and critique of skepticism. His work, especially the 'principle of non-contradiction' and the 'open question argument,' challenged conventional moral theories and laid the groundwork for modern analytic philosophy, influencing discussions around Kant's moral philosophy and the nature of ethical truths.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moore's 'Principia Ethica' introduced the distinction between 'natural' and 'non-natural' properties, arguing that ethical properties cannot be reduced to natural ones.
2. His famous 'open question argument' posits that if moral terms can be defined purely in naturalistic terms, then it raises an open question about whether those definitions capture the essence of what is 'good'.
3. Moore is often associated with the term 'ethical non-naturalism', suggesting that moral truths are known intuitively rather than through empirical observation.
4. He was an early proponent of 'common sense philosophy', emphasizing that our everyday beliefs about morality should be taken seriously against skeptical challenges.
5. Moore's work laid a significant foundation for later ethical theories, including discussions around deontological ethics, which are often linked to Kant’s ideas on duty and moral law.

Review Questions

• How does G. E. Moore's open question argument challenge naturalistic definitions of moral properties?
  • G. E. Moore's open question argument challenges naturalistic definitions by asserting that even if we define 'good' in terms of some natural property, it remains an open question whether that property is truly good. This indicates that moral properties cannot be entirely reduced to or equated with natural properties, suggesting a deeper, non-natural understanding of morality. This distinction plays a crucial role in debates about ethical theories and their foundations.
• Analyze how Moore's common sense philosophy contrasts with Kant's moral philosophy regarding ethical truths.
  • Moore's common sense philosophy emphasizes the validity of ordinary moral intuitions against skeptical doubts, while Kant's moral philosophy focuses on the universality and rationality behind moral laws derived from reason. While Kant argues for duty-based ethics grounded in categorical imperatives applicable to all rational beings, Moore insists on recognizing our basic moral instincts as valid starting points for understanding ethics. This contrast highlights different approaches to establishing what we consider morally right or wrong.
• Evaluate the significance of G. E. Moore's contributions to modern ethics in relation to Kantian ethical frameworks.
  • G. E. Moore's contributions to modern ethics are significant as they provide an alternative framework to Kantian ethics by emphasizing moral realism and the independence of ethical truths from human emotions or desires. His critique of naturalism invites deeper exploration into non-natural moral properties, challenging Kantian ethics' reliance on reason alone to determine duty. By introducing the idea that ethical knowledge can come from intuitive insights, Moore opens up new avenues for discussing how we understand and justify moral actions within the context of established philosophical traditions.

Related terms

Open Question Argument: A philosophical argument proposed by Moore that suggests that no matter how many times we define a moral property in natural terms, it remains an open question whether that property is actually good.

Principle of Non-Contradiction: A fundamental principle in logic stating that contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time; this principle underpins much of Moore's arguments against skepticism.

Moral Realism: The view that there are objective moral facts that exist independently of human beliefs or attitudes, a position that Moore defended through his ethical theories.