The Case Against Moral Realism
Moral realism is an explicit version of the ordinary view of morality. It has the following assumptions: Good and evil are objectively real. We have the ability to recognize good and evil. We have an objective moral obligation to do good and not do evil. We also have an objective moral right to not have evil done to us. Most people are internally motivated to do good and not do evil. Society depends on morality to exist. The social order is created by human goodness, and it is destroyed by evil. There are many problems with moral realism, including: What are good and evil? Why should we do good, not evil? Why do moral judgments vary between individuals, cultures and societies? Why can’t moral disagreements be resolved rationally? Why is morality ad hoc? Why is evil pervasive? Let’s consider each of these problems in detail. What are good and evil? Moral realism presupposes good and evil.