Active learning ideas
Moral Realism is the meta-ethical view that moral properties exist mind-independently; when we say 'murder is wrong', we are stating a fact about the world. Students explore Ethical Naturalism (the idea that moral facts are just natural facts, like 'happiness') and Non-Naturalism (the idea that moral facts are unique, non-physical properties).
Activity 01
Students are given definitions like 'Good = what people desire'. They must apply Moore's test: 'I know it is desired, but is it good?'. If the question still makes sense, the definition has failed. They try this with 5 different 'natural' definitions.
Are moral facts objective features of the world?
Activity 02
Students discuss whether 'Murder is wrong' is the same kind of fact as 'Water boils at 100 degrees'. They list the similarities and differences and share with the class.
What is the naturalistic fallacy?
Activity 03
Stations explain Moore's 'Yellow' analogy (Intuitionism) and Mill's 'Desirable' argument (Naturalism). Students move around and vote on which theory better explains how we 'know' what is right.
How does intuitionism explain our knowledge of moral truths?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Students often think 'Naturalism' means 'environmentally friendly'.
In meta-ethics, Naturalism means that moral properties are 'natural' properties (like pleasure or evolution). Active sorting of 'natural' vs 'non-natural' properties helps students use the term correctly in a philosophical context.
Students think Moore's 'Intuitionism' is just about having a 'hunch'.
For Moore, intuition is a form of rational 'seeing' of a self-evident truth. Peer-led comparisons between 'seeing red' and 'seeing goodness' help students understand Moore's claim that 'good' is a simple, unanalysable property.
Methods used in this brief
Moral Anti-realism
Students explore theories that deny the existence of objective moral facts. They will analyse Mackie's error theory and Ayer's emotivism.
8 methodologies
Moral Language and Objectivity
A critical assessment of whether moral language can be meaningful if anti-realism is true. Students will debate the implications of nihilism.
8 methodologies