Problems for Moral Debunkers: On the Logic and Limits of Empirically Informed Ethics

Peter Königs

Published by De Gruyter 2022

Problems for Moral Debunkers

On the Logic and Limits of Empirically Informed Ethics

Peter Königs

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110750195

Overview
Contents

About this book

Now in Paperback

One the most interesting debates in moral philosophy revolves around the significance of empirical moral psychology for moral philosophy. Genealogical arguments that rely on empirical findings about the origins of moral beliefs, so-called debunking arguments, take center stage in this debate. Looking at debunking arguments based on evidence from evolutionary moral psychology, experimental ethics and neuroscience, this book explores what ethicists can learn from the science of morality, and what they cannot.

Among other things, the book offers a new take on the deontology/utilitarianism debate, discusses the usefulness of experiments in ethics, investigates whether morality should be thought of as a problem-solving device, shows how debunking arguments can tell us something about the structure of philosophical debate, and argues that debunking arguments lead to both moral and prudential skepticism.

Presenting a new picture of the relationship between empirical moral psychology and moral philosophy, this book is essential reading for moral philosophers and moral psychologists alike.

Author / Editor information

Peter Königs, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	V
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
1 Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2 Deontology, Utilitarianism, and Evolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	20
3 Deontology, Utilitarianism, and Experimental Ethics Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
4 Deontology, Utilitarianism, and Morality as Problem-Solving Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	62
5 Deontology, Confabulation, and the Structure of Philosophical Debate Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
6 Realism, Constructivism, and Evolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
7 Morality, Wellbeing, and Evolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	109
8 Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	128
9 References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	130
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Moral philosophers and psychologists, ethicists, institutes, libraries
Pages
- Front matter: 8
- Main content: 146
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 1
Keywords: debunking arguments; moral skepticism; deontology; utilitarianism

eBook

Published: February 21, 2022
ISBN: 9783110750195

Hardcover

Published: March 7, 2022
ISBN: 9783110750171

Paperback

Published: October 24, 2023
ISBN: 9783111358451