Moral Realism and Teleosemantics

Author: Joyce R.

Source: Biology and Philosophy, Volume 16, Number 5, November 2001 , pp. 723-731(9)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

William Harms has argued that if human morality is the product of natural selection, moral realism will follow. The thesis that he thinks allows this bridge is teleosemantics. This argument is mistaken. Even granting both premises, forms of radical moral non-realism remain viable, since the utterance of mistaken statements (or commands) may enhance reproductive fitness.

Keywords: evolutionary ethics; Harms; moral realism; teleosemantics

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK

Publication date: 2001-11-01