Ivan Phillips discusses subjective vs objective morality with a focus on Hume's guillotine and the concept of objective morality in alternate realities. They further explore the origin of human morality, the is-ought distinction, heat death in Star Trek, and the role of objectivity in public policy.
Objective morality cannot be derived solely from facts.
Bayesian approach to morality considers contextual factors and adaptability.
Existence of objective moral truths beyond human subjective experiences is questionable.
Ongoing dialogue and critical assessment are essential for moral progress.
Deep dives
Objective Values and Subjective Values
The podcast episode explores the distinction between objective values and subjective values. The host and guest discuss the concept of subjective values and the argument that all values are subjective. They also examine the idea of objective values and the burden of proof on those who believe in the existence of objective values. The guest presents Humes dictum, which states that you cannot derive an "ought" from an "is", meaning that moral conclusions cannot be derived solely from facts. The guest and host also delve into the perspectives of David Deutsch and their own viewpoints on moral realism and subjective values.
The Role of Bayesianism in Morality
The conversation shifts to the application of Bayesianism in understanding morality. The guest, a Bayesian, discusses how he approaches morality from a Bayesian point of view. He explores the concept of rationality, moral progress, and the influence of human evolution on moral values. The guest highlights the importance of context, cultural factors, and the adaptability of human morality. He also questions the possibility of objective morality and the difficulty of constructing a Bayesian argument for moral realism.
The Limits of Moral Realism
The podcast examines the limits and criticisms of moral realism. The guest argues that while humans have moral values and engage in debates about morality, it does not necessarily imply the existence of objective moral truths beyond human subjective experiences. They discuss scenarios where moral values differ based on context, evolution, and societal development. The host questions the idea of an infallible source of moral truth, whether it be an AI or any other form, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and the challenging nature of determining objective moral values.
Objectivity, Subjectivity, and Moral Progress
The conversation explores the interplay between objectivity, subjectivity, and moral progress. The guest considers the role of objective truths in morality and the impact of human societies and cultural factors on moral values. They discuss the concept of verisimilitude, the progressive nature of moral discussions and updates, and the influence of evolving contexts on moral judgments. The guest highlights the importance of understanding the subjective nature of moral values and the need for ongoing dialogue and critical assessment in shaping moral progress.
The nature of objective and subjective morality
The podcast explores the distinction between objective and subjective morality. The speakers discuss whether morality is objectively true or just a matter of subjective values. They consider the implications of objective morality and the role of rationality in moral decision-making. The discussion also touches on the concept of moral progress and the challenges in defining and achieving it.
The is-ought distinction and its implications
The speakers delve into the is-ought distinction originally proposed by David Hume. They debate whether it is possible to derive moral ought statements from factual is statements. They explore the relationship between values and facts, considering subjective and objective perspectives. Furthermore, they critically examine the idea of moral progress within a purely subjective moral framework.
The interplay between subjective and objective values
The discussion delves into how individual and societal actions align with beliefs about objective or subjective morality. While acknowledging that individuals may claim subjective morality, the speakers suggest that people tend to act as if morality is objective. They highlight the importance of subjective values and personal beliefs in decision-making, emphasizing the complexity of moral frameworks.
With guest Ivan Phillips, we discuss and debate subjective vs objective morality. Does the concept of objective morality ever make sense given “Hume’s guillotine”? Can humans ever really live as though morality is subjective? Along the way, we take detours into Bayesian epistemology vs critical rationalism.
