Gibbard's expressivism: An interdisciplinary critical analysis

Author: Clavien, Christine

Source: Philosophical Psychology, Volume 22, Number 4, August 2009 , pp. 465-485(21)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

This paper examines key aspects of Allan Gibbard's psychological account of moral activity. Inspired by evolutionary theory, Gibbard paints a naturalistic picture of morality mainly based on two specific types of emotion: guilt and anger. His sentimentalist and expressivist analysis is also based on a particular conception of rationality. I begin by introducing Gibbard's theory before testing some key assumptions underlying his system against recent empirical data and theories. The results cast doubt on some crucial aspects of Gibbard's philosophical theory, namely his reduction of morality to anger and guilt, and his theory of “normative governance.” Gibbard's particular version of expressivism may be undermined by these doubts.

Keywords: Anger; Emotion; Expressivism; Gibbard; Guilt; Metaethics; Moral Emotion; Motivation; Normative Governance; Sentimentalism

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09515080903153626

Publication date: 2009-08-01

More about this publication?

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Philosophy ,  Psychology
• By this author: Clavien, Christine

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers