tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post440442978640236485..comments2023-10-24T04:29:23.693-06:00Comments on Atheist Ethicist: My Definition of Morality?Alonzo Fyfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-60177334493889292362011-09-21T19:03:09.661-06:002011-09-21T19:03:09.661-06:00nice post, thanks.nice post, thanks.Kristopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08544209777124068097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-69256368581005253952010-04-17T21:16:05.181-06:002010-04-17T21:16:05.181-06:00Sorry for commenting on such an old post, but I ha...Sorry for commenting on such an old post, but I have a question about it. Can you please explain how these two statement do not contradict each other:<br /><br />Alonzo> "...there is no 'correct' definition of any word in any language."<br /><br />Alonzo> "There can be genuine disagreements over whether a descriptive definition is correct. This is a dispute over whether a particular theory actually describes how a term is used in a society. If somebody were to assert that the word 'carpenter' refers to a small domesticated version of the cat family, they would be wrong."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-39096246313332986932009-02-11T07:11:00.000-07:002009-02-11T07:11:00.000-07:00Daniel"Hold on a second. Astronomy and fields like...Daniel<BR/><BR/>"Hold on a second. Astronomy and fields like it are able to continue their work without a set definition because the principles discussed exist independantly of their discussion."<BR/>This is exactly Alonzo's point here. One can consider ethics without having a set definition of "moral" since the "principles" (IMHO an unfortunate choice of term here but I think we know what we mean) discussed exist independently of their discussion namely: desires, states of affairs and the relations between them. These exist regardless of how one (dis)agrees about how and whether they map onto moral terms.<BR/><BR/>"Isn't saying this for morality the same as saying that there is a universal standard that we must strive to be made privvy to?" <BR/>This is as much or as little of a "universal standard" as one that applies in astronomy with respect to planets or any other celestial objects for that matter. <BR/><BR/>In another sense nature is the standard and what science strives to be privy to. There is no difference here in ethics. Speculating but if you think there is, then what is the basis for this assertion? A worry over "universal standards" is not sufficient.Martin Freedmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16952072422175870627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-38290296821563927052009-02-10T16:41:00.000-07:002009-02-10T16:41:00.000-07:00Hold on a second. Astronomy and fields like it are...Hold on a second. Astronomy and fields like it are able to continue their work without a set definition because the principles discussed exist independantly of their discussion. Isn't saying this for morality the same as saying that there is a universal standard that we must strive to be made privvy to?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-14000441161519644732009-02-10T09:24:00.000-07:002009-02-10T09:24:00.000-07:00I agree. I believe that every writer is served wel...I agree. I believe that every writer is served well by listing his <I>definitions</I> so the reader can concentrate on the essence of what he is saying, rather than getting hung up on a difference of opinion on a definition, or which definition they choose to apply. Since I use the term <I>morality</I> in many of my postings, I felt it was important for my readers to know what definition I was applying.<BR/><BR/>It would help, for instance, if definitions for such words as <I>hades, pagans, torture, alma, etc.</I> preceded speeches from the <I>throne, the White House or the pulpit.</I>antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02909850387414677663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-66995543362953084752009-02-09T18:07:00.000-07:002009-02-09T18:07:00.000-07:00Excellent. Thank you.Excellent. Thank you.Lukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968634190280933116noreply@blogger.com