back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 4128

[from 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' by Bernard Williams, in 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / c. Ethical intuitionism ]

Full Idea

Intuitionism in ethics has been demolished by a succession of critics, and the ruins of it that remain above ground are not impressive enough to invite much history of what happened to it.

Gist of Idea

Intuitionism has been demolished by critics, and no longer looks interesting

Source

Bernard Williams (Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy [1985], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.94


A Reaction

Why does intuitionism have such appeal to beginners in moral philosophy? There is a truth buried in it somewhere. See 'Sources of the Self' by Charles Taylor.