The Key Contributions of Intuitionism to an Understanding of Ethics
The ethical theory of intuitionism basically states that what is
morally right is already known to us. Intuitionism says that "good" is
an indefinable notion. The basic moral truths are objective; they hold
independently of what anyone may think or feel. Therefore we should
pick out our moral principles by following our basic moral intuitions.
The principle of intuition has first been seen in the Bible 'Indeed,
when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required
by the law... since they show that the requirements of the law are
written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and
their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them' (Romans 2:15).
However, its most famous proponent was George Edward Moore
(1863-1958).
In 1903 G.E.Moore published Principia Ethica. In this he argued that
goodness could not be defined because it was unlike any other quality.
Good is a subjective term and Moore compared this to the term yellow.
You cannot possibly define a colour; you can only simply point at it
and say “this is yellow”. This is the same as “good” we can
demonstrate a good act or point out what may be good, but we cannot
define the word "good". Moore believed this was because it is a simple
idea. Complex ideas can be broken down in to smaller ideas, thereby
defining them. Moore said, “You can give a definition of a horse
because a horse has many different properties and qualities.” For
example, a horse is a complex idea but it can be broken down into
mane, four legs, animal, herbivore etc and each of these things can be
broken down f...
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...the moral rule "we ought not to
lie". Ross also argued that we derive our sense of ‘rightness’ and
‘duty’ from being in particular situations, for example witnessing
someone being beaten. Our experience of that situation and our
intuition will tell us what is the right thing to do.
Generally, Intuitionism has been rejected by most philosophers.
Intuitionism does not overcome the hurdle of how our knowledge of
moral facts and our belief in them can motivate us to act morally.
Also, the mysterious faculty of intuition is never really explained
properly and is dismissed by many.
However, it is important to recognise that Moore’s Principia Ethica
had a very powerful influence on the ethics that followed and most
philosophers engaged in ethics have made strenuous efforts to avoid
committing the Naturalistic Fallacy.
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