RE: An Argument Against Hedonistic Moral Realism
June 15, 2019 at 7:03 pm
(This post was last modified: June 15, 2019 at 7:04 pm by vulcanlogician.)
(June 14, 2019 at 9:14 am)SenseMaker007 Wrote: Here's an argument against Hedonistic Moral Realism:
Premise 1: For hedonistic moral realism to be true moral realism as a whole has to be capable of being true.
Premise 2: Moral realism as a whole is only true if the foundation of moral values is something mind-independent.
Premise 4: According to hedonistic moral realism the foundation of moral values is pain and/or pleasure.
Premise 5: Neither pain nor pleasure is something mind-independent.
Conclusion: Hedonistic Moral Realism is false.
Thoughts on this argument?
I take issue with premise 2. Moral realism must be true regardless of our opinions, but nothing prevents a moral theory from being concerned with a mental state.
Hedonism makes a lot of sense as a moral theory. In fact, hedonism is one of the reasons I'm a pluralist. What good moral theory permits acts that create large amounts of suffering? What moral assessment denies the importance of happiness as an end?
The hedonist considers pleasure/happiness good and pain/suffering bad. This is perfectly in line with our intuitions. When we experience pain we think "bad." And pleasure makes sense as an intrinsic good.