Single Idea 5355

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / e. Ethical cognitivism]

Full Idea

Cognitivists think morals are discovered by reason.

Gist of Idea

Cognitivists think morals are discovered by reason

Source

Owen Flanagan (The Problem of the Soul [2002], p.301n)

Book Reference

Flanagan,Owen: 'The Problem of the Soul' [Basic Books 2003], p.301


A Reaction

I take cognitivism to be (strictly) the view that morals are knowable in principle. Our intellects might not be up to the task (and so we might have to ask the gods what is right). There is also the possibility that morals might be known by intuition.