Single Idea 3894

[catalogued under 2. Reason / E. Argument / 4. Open Question]

Full Idea

The 'open question' argument is clearly invalid. A question remains open just so long as our ignorance permits. …It may be an open question whether promoting happiness is good, even though this is what 'good' means.

Clarification

G.E.Moore's Open Question argument claimed that 'good' cannot be a natural property, because it can always be asked if such things are good

Gist of Idea

We may define 'good' correctly, but then ask whether the application of the definition is good

Source

Roger Scruton (Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey [1994], 20.1)

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'Modern Philosophy: introduction and survey' [Sinclair-Stevenson 1994], p.273


A Reaction

A nice objection. Like small children, we can keep asking questions forever. Whether there is a question to be asked about a thing is not a property of that thing, but of us who ask it.

Related Idea

Idea 11057 It is always an open question whether anything that is natural is good [Moore,GE]