Is Empiricism the Primary Method of How Moral Judgements are Made - Assignment Example

Empiricism and moral judgments Introduction Empiricism is a philosophical belief which s that moral judgments can be derived from knowledge, skill, and understanding. It uses facts and data to create moral judgments in contrast to the idea of inherent and intrinsic moral judgments. It is closely related with science as it believes that every idea must undergo a vigorous procedure of observation, trial, and testing. It rejects the concept of revelation or perception in the creation of moral judgments (Lawhead, 56). Awareness and information can be acquired through the use of sensory based data and skills. Evidence remains a key component of empiricism in moral judgments. It becomes a part of the various sciences as they begin to scrutinize and examine the evidence. Human beings must be satisfied with the knowledge they derive from experience and evidence. Empiricism considers reason to be untrustworthy and defective if it is devoid of sensory experience. It cannot provide awareness and comprehension without the use of sensory data. Moral judgments consist of the facts which are known to human beings. Experience is the real reason which leads to the perception of reality and morality. However knowledge depends upon the experiences of human beings which are very diverse. Each single human being will have different experiences of knowledge and morality. Another important point of empiricism is that each object has independent and secondary qualities. The independent qualities have been verified and measured using scientific methods. The secondary qualities are experienced according to the sensory organs of human beings. This paper argues that empiricism is the primary method of moral judgments. It looks at the different methods of moral judgment and concludes that empiricism plays the most important part. Different methods of moral judgments Ethical rationalism Ethical rationalism is a method of morality which can be acquired through the use of reason. This form of reasoning holds that individuals can make choices with regard to the achievement of moral judgments. It stresses the importance of achieving goals and objectives (Singer, 98). Morality is considered to be analyzed and interpreted by perceiving the emotional states of human beings. This theory has been criticized by philosophers and theorists that morality is more based upon emotions and sentiments rather than reason. Ethical intuitionism This theory embraces the concept that morality is based upon intentions, specific purposes and aims. It also says that facts which are judged or determined cannot become ordinary and expected facts. Deduction and supposition are not necessary for deriving moral judgments and facts. This theory has been criticized by people who claim that morality consists of subjective properties and qualities (Singer, 120). Moral skepticism This is a method of achieving moral judgments in which morality can never be true. Moral judgments can never be true because the mental judgments and inferences of human beings are flawed. This theory totally rejects the presence of moral propositions. This theory is criticized because the idea that morality can be observable phenomena is quiet valid. Moral knowledge cannot be claimed or obtained by anyone because any goodness is subject to the perceptions and desires of people. The moral beliefs of human beings have evolved in the absence of any objective truths (Singer, 150). Moral judgments Moral judgments are universally held to be valid across various geographical regions and historical times. They are violated if the person has been subject to harassment, intimidation or injury. Moral judgment creates a set of principles which are linked with beliefs. A standard is created to judge the criteria for right and wrong of specific moral actions (Lawhead, 56). The various types of actions can be classified as moral principles. The example of such principles can be that “robbing and stealing is wrong”. These can be wrong because they contribute to crime and destroy society. They prevent the improvement in the standards of living for human beings in society. Moral judgments characterize the properness and unfairness of specific actions. An example of moral judgment can be that “Tom should not have stolen the documents of his neighbor as revenge”. Another example of moral judgment can be that “Harry should not work in the nuclear power plant because of environmental concerns”. The application of standards and principles are used to determine the correctness or unfairness of situations. Empiricism is considered to be the best tool for determining moral judgments because of its simplicity. It considered inherent and intrinsic knowledge to be outside the field of scientific discovery and observation. Further as compared with the other methods, empiricism asks the question of how a deaf person can hear the beautiful sound of tidal waves (Ouine, 96). This proves that sensory experience is vital for the development of moral judgment. Imagination and experience can be deduced only by the use of empiricism. Empiricism is primary method of moral judgments Moral judgments can be found out using empiricism because of its ability of direct scrutiny and inspection. Something cannot be deemed to be the truth until it can be observed by sensory data. Measurement is the primary method to determine moral judgments because every type of behavior can be acquired through knowledge and experience. This theory postulates that children who are born do not have any intrinsic morals or values. As the child grows and observes the environment around, the moral principles and values began to emerge. Ibn Sina in the eleventh century argued that moral concepts are derived from the knowledge which is acquired by the observation and measurement of objects which carry the universal concepts. Locke and Hume stated that experience is the only way by which human beings can obtain knowledge (Bruce, 26). Locke considered the brain to be an empty drug. The five senses observe, calculate, and measure the experiences around the environment. This leads to the creation of moral principles, values, and judgments inside human beings. Complex and simple ideas are formed by the sensory data. Complex ideas consist of a combination of different moral values and ideas. The experience of the human being is eventually created as they determine the correctness or unfairness of any principle. David Hume also believed that sensory data is the sole criteria for the acquisition of knowledge in human beings (Sidgwick, 74). Knowledge could consist of two different branches. The first branch of knowledge was the philosophical and ethical suggestions. The second type of knowledge was the phenomenon which could be measured and calculated by the senses. Conclusion Empiricism can be considered to be the primary method of making moral judgments. It uses sensory data as the criteria for the development of moral principles. Newly born children have empty brains without any intrinsic ethical or moral values. As they grow older, they acquire knowledge and morality by using their five senses. They look around the environment to perceive the environment. This leads to the creation of moral judgments and moral principles. Thus it can be witnessed that sense data is the only way to determine moral judgments. Empiricism is concerned with making judgments and observations in a scientific manner. It rejects the concept that human beings have intrinsic or inherent moral values and principles. Empiricism is the best tool for determining morality because of its simple principles. It rejects the concept of innate ideas as being outside the field of scientific discovery and observation. As compared with other methods it inquires how a blind person can see a beautiful flower. This proves that sensory experience is vital for the development of moral judgment. Imagination and experience can be deduced only by the use of empiricism. Sense data is also beneficial because of its experimental arrangements. Works Cited: Lawhead, William F., The Philosophical Journey: An Interactive Approach, Second Edition. McGraw-Hill, 2003 Quine, W. V. O., 1952, Two Dogmas of Empiricism, in From a Logical Point of View: Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press. Bruce Aune, Rationalism, Empiricism, and Pragmatism (New York: Random House, 1967) Sidgwick, Henry, Methods of Ethics, Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co., 1981. Singer, Peter, Practical Ethics 2nd Edition, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1993., Read More