Who Gets to Judge?: Answering Objections to Truth in Morality | Professor Joshua Hochschild
Feb 21, 2024
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Debates on truth in morality, challenges of empirical testing for moral judgments, survival vs. moral goodness, Aristotle's perspective on virtue, and the impact of positivism on defining truth are explored in a thought-provoking discussion on ethics and philosophy.
Virtue is centered on rational judgment, not just emotion, reflecting the prudent person's discernment.
Acknowledging societal evolution doesn't erase moral truth, emphasizing humility and the potential for improvement.
Moral judgment involves reason alongside emotion, requiring cognitive assessment and discernment for ethical decisions.
Deep dives
The Definition of Virtue and Prudence in Moral Judgment
Aristotle defines virtue as a habit concerned with choice that lies in a mean, determined by reason, specifically the reason of the prudent person. Virtue is not just a matter of feeling, but an integrated judgment based on rational discernment. Prudence, or practical wisdom, is the virtue of making good moral judgments and plays a central role in determining right and wrong behavior. It is a perfection of the intellect that enables one to judge moral truth.
Recognizing the Possibility of Fallibility in Moral Judgments
Acknowledging the fallibility of past moral judgments, such as slavery, institutional racism, or changing cultural norms, does not negate the existence of moral truth. It reflects humility and a recognition that societal morality can evolve and improve over time. The Aristotelian tradition incorporates this humility while still affirming the possibility of discerning moral truth through authority figures who possess prudence and experience.
Balancing Reason and Emotion in Moral Judgments
Moral judgments are not purely emotional reactions, but involve a cognitive element. The moral wrongness of an action is not solely dependent on personal feelings, but on rational judgment. Aristotle's distinction between pure emotion and reasoned passion highlights the blend of reason and emotion in moral judgment. Feelings of indignation or anger at injustice, for example, carry with them a cognitive judgment of a wrongdoing.
Determining Authorities in Moral Judgment
When seeking authorities in moral judgment, one criterion is to evaluate their track record or expertise in making accurate judgments. Just as one can recognize a skilled car mechanic or trustworthy information source, individuals can discern wise moral authorities through experience and the ability to recognize their own limitations in moral discernment. Seeking guidance from trusted mentors, spiritual advisors, or individuals with proven moral judgment can help in navigating complex ethical dilemmas.
Recognizing the Possibility of Growth and Learning in Moral Understanding
Acknowledging the potential for growth and learning in moral understanding demonstrates humility and openness to refining one's moral judgment. Historical examples like slavery or changing perspectives on capital punishment suggest that moral truths can be uncovered and refined over time. While remaining rooted in moral principles, individuals can continually seek greater insight and understanding from wise moral authorities and diverse perspectives
Prof. Joshua Hochschild (Mount St. Mary’s University) is Professor of Philosophy and Director of Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he served as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
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