The Relation of Ethics to Metaphysics

• Ethics may be related to metaphysics, the theory of the ultimate nature of reality, in various ways.

• A moralist must hold certain views about the nature of the universe to maintain that the moral life is possible.

• For moral responsibility to have meaning, a person must be free to choose between alternative actions.

• Metaphysics informs the moralist whether there are grounds for assuming human freedom of choice.

• Such assumptions are called postulates.

• Rashdall divides metaphysical postulates in ethics into two groups:

  • (a) Postulates necessary for any morality (distinguishing right and wrong).

  • (b) Postulates not strictly necessary, but which add reasonableness and clarity to ethical theory.

• Similar distinctions exist in other sciences:

  • Law of causation is necessary for natural sciences.

  • Atoms in chemistry are hypothetical postulates that clarify explanations but are not strictly necessary.

• Many idealists argue that the nature of good depends on the nature of reality, so views on reality affect views on goodness.

• Dr. G. E. Moore denies this, holding that good is a simple, unanalysable quality, independent of relations to other things.

• Moore acknowledges that views of the universe influence ethical attitudes but not the nature of goodness itself.

• Example: If good actions aim to bring about the kingdom of heaven, they are perceived as desirable; without consequences, perception may differ.

• A metaphysical view may suggest an ethical theory, but does not logically entail it.

• Moore maintains goodness is independent of the universe; it does not depend on relations to other things.

• Idealists, like Professor H. J. Paton, argue goodness depends on the nature of willing.

• According to Paton, all coherent willing is good, and objects of such willing are good relative to coherent willing.

• Differences in metaphysical theories lead to differences in ethical theories:

  • Moore: good is unanalysable and indefinable (realism).

  • Paton: goodness depends on relations to wills (idealism).

• Ethical views depend on metaphysical views, although ethical truths may be independent.

• Moore admits that if reality were eternal and unchanging, practical ethics would be impossible.

• Moore’s negative metaphysical theory (universe does not affect the nature of good) is itself important for ethics.

• Ethics is related to metaphysics in at least two additional ways.

• (a) Ethics makes judgements of value, often based on intuitions.

• Metaphysics can assess whether these judgements are valid, considering the universe as a whole.

• In this study, intuitions are regarded as valid unless they contradict each other or fail to fit a coherent account of ethical judgements.

• Ultimately, the validity of intuitions can only be justified by a metaphysical theory, even a simple one (e.g., intuitions given by God and necessarily true).

• A sceptic denying value judgements must rely on a metaphysical theory that the human mind is incapable of such judgements.

• (b) Judgements of value from ethics may serve as data for metaphysical theory, often by suggestion.

• Human views of goodness have suggested notions of the goodness of God in religious and metaphysical theories.

• Some philosophers argue judgements of conscience are data to be considered like sensory data or scientific generalizations.

• Philosophers must integrate intuitions such as Butler’s view that happiness is appropriate to right-doing, or Bentham’s principle that every person counts equally.

• Four key ways ethics and metaphysics are related:

  • (a) Ethics assumes certain postulates, whose validity is a metaphysical question.

  • (b) Metaphysical beliefs influence ethical beliefs, regardless of whether goodness depends on the universe.

  • (c) The validity of ethical judgements can be finally determined only by metaphysics.

  • (d) Ethics provides judgements of value as data for metaphysics.