A Refutation of Moral Relativism

A Refutation of Moral Relativism
Author :
Publisher : Ignatius Press
Total Pages : 188
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780898707311
ISBN-13 : 0898707315
Rating : 4/5 (11 Downloads)

Synopsis A Refutation of Moral Relativism by : Peter Kreeft

No issue is more fateful for civilization than moral relativism. History knows not one example of a successful society which repudiated moral absolutes. Yet most attacks on relativism have been either pragmatic (looking at its social consequences) or exhorting (preaching rather than proving), and philosophers' arguments against it have been specialized, technical, and scholarly. In his typical unique writing style, Peter Kreeft lets an attractive, honest, and funny relativist interview a "Muslim fundamentalist" absolutist so as not to stack the dice personally for absolutism. In an engaging series of personal interviews, every conceivable argument the "sassy Black feminist" reporter Libby gives against absolutism is simply and clearly refuted, and none of the many arguments for moral absolutism is refuted.

A Refutation of Moral Relativism

A Refutation of Moral Relativism
Author :
Publisher : Ignatius Press
Total Pages : 188
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781681490182
ISBN-13 : 1681490188
Rating : 4/5 (82 Downloads)

Synopsis A Refutation of Moral Relativism by : Peter Kreeft

No issue is more fateful for civilization than moral relativism. History knows not one example of a successful society which repudiated moral absolutes. Yet most attacks on relativism have been either pragmatic (looking at its social consequences) or exhorting (preaching rather than proving), and philosophers' arguments against it have been specialized, technical, and scholarly. In his typical unique writing style, Peter Kreeft lets an attractive, honest, and funny relativist interview a "Muslim fundamentalist" absolutist so as not to stack the dice personally for absolutism. In an engaging series of personal interviews, every conceivable argument the "sassy Black feminist" reporter Libby gives against absolutism is simply and clearly refuted, and none of the many arguments for moral absolutism is refuted.

Relativism

Relativism
Author :
Publisher : Baker Books
Total Pages : 192
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780801058066
ISBN-13 : 0801058066
Rating : 4/5 (66 Downloads)

Synopsis Relativism by : Francis J. Beckwith

A critique of moral relativism, the belief that there exists no objective moral standards that apply to every place, person, and time.

Relativism Refuted

Relativism Refuted
Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages : 230
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9789401577465
ISBN-13 : 9401577463
Rating : 4/5 (65 Downloads)

Synopsis Relativism Refuted by : H. Siegel

Whatever Happened to Good and Evil?

Whatever Happened to Good and Evil?
Author :
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages : 150
Release :
ISBN-10 : 0195168739
ISBN-13 : 9780195168730
Rating : 4/5 (39 Downloads)

Synopsis Whatever Happened to Good and Evil? by : Russ Shafer-Landau

This is a brief introduction to ethics, with a point of view. The book addresses "meta-ethical" questions that go beyond what most introductory ethics books address, which are "normative" theories (egoism, utilitarianism, etc.) and "applied" ethics (abortion, capital punishment, etc.).

Moral Philosophy: A Reader

Moral Philosophy: A Reader
Author :
Publisher : Hackett Publishing
Total Pages : 491
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781603845038
ISBN-13 : 1603845038
Rating : 4/5 (38 Downloads)

Synopsis Moral Philosophy: A Reader by : Louis P. Pojman

This collection of classic and contemporary readings in ethics presents sharp, competing views on a wide range of fundamentally important topics: moral relativism and objectivism, ethical egoism, value theory, utilitarianism, deontological ethics, virtue ethics, ethics and religion, and applied ethics. The Fourth Edition dramatically increases the volume’s utility by expanding and updating the selections and introductions while retaining the structure that has made previous editions so successful.

Absolute Relativism: The New Dictatorship and What to Do about It

Absolute Relativism: The New Dictatorship and What to Do about It
Author :
Publisher : Catholic Answers
Total Pages : 59
Release :
ISBN-10 : 1933919469
ISBN-13 : 9781933919461
Rating : 4/5 (69 Downloads)

Synopsis Absolute Relativism: The New Dictatorship and What to Do about It by : Stefanick Chris

Welcome to the new tyranny "If it feels good, do it." "That's your opinion, and this is mine." "I don't want to impose my beliefs on others." And thus the Dictator of Relativism speaks as he has always spoken to seduce humanity into a false sense of freedom. Pope Benedict XVI, Christ's personally chosen defender of the Truth is fighting back. He recognized this in his homily on April 18, 2005, "We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one's own ego and desires." Through a down-to-earth, easily accessible Question-and-Answer format, Stefanick's book shows: Why relativism inherently contradicts its own claims. What makes it one of the worst ideas in the history of ideas. How relativism has a direct influence on the morals and virtues of a nation. Why relativism doesn't even work "in real life." How relativism is counterproductive to the true practice of tolerance Why religion which makes claims to absolute truth is finally more tolerant than relativism. What Christianity has almost singlehandedly done to foster true tolerance in the world. How all laws legislate morality What the true meaning of "open-minded" means it's not what you think!

Modern Moral Problems

Modern Moral Problems
Author :
Publisher : Ignatius Press
Total Pages : 323
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781586176341
ISBN-13 : 158617634X
Rating : 4/5 (41 Downloads)

Synopsis Modern Moral Problems by : William B. Smith

Modern Moral Problems addresses moral quandaries that can beguile and confuse faithful Catholics. Written in a question-and-answer format, the book covers questions regarding sexuality, medical ethics, business practices, civic responsibilities, and the sacramental life of the Church. The extraordinary assortment of issuesforming a single, organized collectionis a valuable reference for anyone seeking clear and concise answers to tough moral questions. Written in a conversational tone often spliced with humor, this work by a highly respected moral theologian will be read with fascination for its clarity of argument and fundamental good sense. Originally published as a monthly question-and-answer column in a magazine for priests, these selections by Msgr. William B. Smith retain a striking current topicality. Msgr. Smith often tackled matters of controversy in the Catholic Church, ones which continue to draw conflicting opinions. Interesting, informative, and eminently practical, this book conveys an overall impression that sound thinking about morality is rooted in a tradition within the Catholic Church, even when the answers to particular moral questions cannot be found in catechisms or Vatican documents. Msgr. Smith offers a clear-headed approach to the quandaries of our time precisely because of his training in traditional moral principles and his fidelity to the Catholic magisterium. This book should be in the possession of all seminarians and priests, who are bound to confront moral matters that are not so easily decided at first glance. But lay people, too, will find here rich responses to the challenging and sometimes unresolved moral questions they encounter in their own lives.

Relativism and the Foundations of Philosophy

Relativism and the Foundations of Philosophy
Author :
Publisher : MIT Press
Total Pages : 227
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780262263139
ISBN-13 : 0262263130
Rating : 4/5 (39 Downloads)

Synopsis Relativism and the Foundations of Philosophy by : Steven D. Hales

A defense of the view that philosophical propositions are true in some perspectives and false in others, arguing that the rationalist, intuition-driven method of acquiring basic beliefs favored by analytic philosophy is not epistemically superior to such alternate belief-acquiring methods as religious revelation and the ritual use of hallucinogens. The grand and sweeping claims of many relativists might seem to amount to the argument that everything is relative—except the thesis of relativism. In this book, Steven Hales defends relativism, but in a more circumscribed form that applies specifically to philosophical propositions. His claim is that philosophical propositions are relatively true—true in some perspectives and false in others. Hales defends this argument first by examining rational intuition as the method by which philosophers come to have the beliefs they do. Analytic rationalism, he claims, has a foundational reliance on rational intuition as a method of acquiring basic beliefs. He then argues that there are other methods that people use to gain beliefs about philosophical topics that are strikingly analogous to rational intuition and examines two of these: Christian revelation and the ritual use of hallucinogens. Hales argues that rational intuition is not epistemically superior to either of these alternative methods. There are only three possible outcomes: we have no philosophical knowledge (skepticism); there are no philosophical propositions (naturalism); or there are knowable philosophical propositions, but our knowledge of them is relative to doxastic perspective. Hales defends relativism against the charge that it is self-refuting and answers a variety of objections to this account of relativism. Finally, he examines the most sweeping objection to relativism: that philosophical propositions are not merely relatively true, because there are no philosophical propositions—all propositions are ultimately empirical, as the naturalists contend. Hales's somewhat disturbing conclusion—that intuition-driven philosophy does produce knowledge, but not absolute knowledge—is sure to inspire debate among philosophers.

Praise and Blame

Praise and Blame
Author :
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Total Pages : 240
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781400825318
ISBN-13 : 1400825318
Rating : 4/5 (18 Downloads)

Synopsis Praise and Blame by : Daniel N. Robinson

How should a prize be awarded after a horse race? Should it go to the best rider, the best person, or the one who finishes first? To what extent are bystanders blameworthy when they do nothing to prevent harm? Are there any objective standards of moral responsibility with which to address such perennial questions? In this fluidly written and lively book, Daniel Robinson takes on the prodigious task of setting forth the contours of praise and blame. He does so by mounting an important and provocative new defense of a radical theory of moral realism and offering a critical appraisal of prevailing alternatives such as determinism and behaviorism and of their conceptual shortcomings. The version of moral realism that arises from Robinson's penetrating inquiry--an inquiry steeped in Aristotelian ethics but deeply informed by modern scientific knowledge of human cognition--is independent of cognition and emotion. At the same time, Robinson carefully explores how such human attributes succeed or fail in comprehending real moral properties. Through brilliant analyses of constitutional and moral luck, of biosocial and genetic versions of psychological determinism, and of relativistic-anthropological accounts of variations in moral precepts, he concludes that none of these conceptions accounts either for the nature of moral properties or the basis upon which they could be known. Ultimately, the theory that Robinson develops preserves moral properties even while acknowledging the conditions that undermine the powers of human will.