Challenge of moral philosophy: a system which resolves morality and ethics together. tools definitions appearance vs. reality (descriptive vs. true values) reflective equilibrium morality morality is paradimatically a set of rules/expectations (concerning character/motives/emotions) for right/wrong behavior. A code of conduct that people “must” follow to… regulate / guide interpersonal interactions rules that concern… harm / benefit justice / fairness loyalty / obedience sanctity / purity Key question of morality: what do we owe to each other? what do I owe other people? example twelve commandments no other gods no idols no swearing keep sabbath holy honor parents don’t murder don’t commit adultery no stealing no lying no coveting descritive morality what people think or believe is right and wrong privileging some kind of in-group true morality what is right and wrong ethics what’s a good life? how should I live? what should I do, all things considered? that is, ethics considers morality, etc but also beauty, etc. Some other definition: “provides standards and methods for identifying, evaluating, and resolving moral challenges and dilemmas.” modern morality Modern morality has four typical features: “universal” — applies to everyone “impartial / egalitarian” — everyone counts the same, everyone is “equally real” “inescapable” — you can’t ot out “overriding” — morality is important, moral considerations are weighty + need to be taken seriously (“always beat others”) theory Why do we need theory? identify the “correct” rules / principles in a systematic way we want to know why these “correct” rules are correct why be moral? how do we know any of this? what’s the methodology? coherentism A coherentism is looping belief that forms the basis of a belief. Agrippa’s Trilemma Beliefs help justify observations. digraph { graph [bgcolor=transparent]; node [fontcolor=white, color=white]; edge [fontcolor=white, color=white]; observation [shape=rectangle]; dot [shape=none, label="..."] belief1 -> "observation" -> belief2 -> {"belief3", "belief4"}; "belief4" -> observation [label="coherentism"]; "belief3" -> dot; } reflective equilibrium once figure above reaches equilibrium, that’s reflective equilibrium