PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS.

Running Head: PHILOSOPHICAL ETHICS.

Morality is not objective, the metaphysical and epistemological implications of this view.
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Morality is concerned with the distinction between right and wrong or good and evil
(Kant, 2001). Morality is objective when there are set standards of behavior and conduct that the
society is supposed to observe. According to objective morality there are set rules of behavior
that cannot be changed (Kant, 2001). For example, do not rape is a standard rule.
According to Kant (2001), subjective morality views morality laws based on personal feelings
and thoughts and without human beings, there would be no morality. In my opinion, morality is
not objective but subjective due to the arguments below.
The first case for why morality is subjective is that individuals make moral judgments in
their own ways and their own perspectives and their own moral consciences (Kant, 2001).
Proponents argue that by making moral decisions, one is guided by emotions and without the
right emotional responses one cannot make the right decision (Kant, 2001).
The second argument for subjective morality is the way different countries govern their
citizens. Most communist governments have existed for long and the citizens are comfortable
with how the government runs its affairs. Other countries where democracy is entrenched, the
government is democratically elected through the participations of all eligible citizens.
Communist government will view democratic government as inferior and likewise the
democratic government will consider the communist government as oppressive to the citizens.
Both the countries feel that their way of governing is the right one. Both sides are right according
to their different modes of government (Kant, 2001).
Another argument for subjective morality is based on individuals’ disagreements. Every
human being has his different beliefs for doing something. Murder and rape can be a serious
offences but a serial killer may belief that killing someone is fun. In the early centuries, many
Germans during the Second World War believed that killing Jewish people was the right thing
morally. Even the clear thinking minds will disagree in opinion about moral issues. For example,
should abortions be legalized? These differences are because of their subjective convictions and
attitudes (Kant, 2001).
The next argument of why morality is subjective is the need for tolerance. We should
respect opposing views and opinions. Subjectivism is the only way that can ensure that all the
divergent views are accommodated. In a democratic setup everybody has an equal right of airing
out his or views hence we should treat each other views are equally important as ours (Kant,
2001).
The next argument for subjectivity is due to the lack of moral authority and the existence
of God. In 2001, Kant asserted that the subjectivism view has no standards that have determined
by God as the ones human being should follow. According to the subjectivism point of view,
there is no life after death or a place disguised as hell or heaven.
Morality is subjective because there is no proof of what is right or wrong. There is no
logical proof that something is morally right or wrong because there are no universally
established morality standards (Kant, 2001). Proof of what is moral is a matter of personal
opinion or belief. There is a wide difference in moral values from one society to the other and
from generation to another. People of the same society and generation also disagree on the
morals. The other reason that qualifies morality to be subjective is the argument of the lack of
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evidence. Senses as smell, taste and touch are deceptive hence we should not believe in them.
These senses are also subjective from person to person
The argument of motivation lays a strong ground for subjective morality. For a person to
feel enthusiastic and motivated the beliefs are not sufficient and a desire or passion is needed. A
belief by itself without the desires can never motivate us to act.
The principle of simplicity states that subjectivity is the best and simple hence
economical than many competing and complicated theories that explain morality
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophical thought that deals with issue s of fundamental nature
of reality and what lies beyond the experience (Hasker, 1983). It is the foundation of the
worldview and encompasses anything that exists together with its existence. It is the foundation
of philosophy since without a clue of the world around us, we cannot act to preserve ourselves
and our knowledge is suspect. Some of the questions that metaphysics addresses include the
question whether human beings do have souls. Do human beings have will and are we free to
choose any cause? Is there God? Is there life after death? Subjectivity as a philosophical view
denies the existence of objective knowledge. It views truth as depended on a person’s beliefs or
the subject but not an object. The view postulates that what is referred to objective truth is just an
expression of attitudes. According to subjective Metaphysics, the rules made by the authority do
not reflect the truth but they are only wishes, beliefs and experiences of the people. According to
subjective metaphysics, the main problems are in understanding the aspects of freedom,
immorality and God. According to philosophers, if we cannot know things we should at least
appreciate that they are things in themselves. Subjective metaphysics argues that human being
structure thing in a way that their minds make them appear to the but not as the things appear.
The subjective nature of metaphysics is evidenced by the phenomenal world and the
structures supplied by the mind. According to subjective metaphysics, a system can only
function properly if all the sub-systems and components complement each other. These sub-
systems should be aware of each other and function harmonious in order to accomplish the goal.
Metaphysical subjectivism is concerned with what we perceive to be real. The principle of
progressive transformation states that all human acts including the act of speculation must be to
their real source in order for them to be a source of joy. According to subjective morality, there
is no truth that exists without perception. Metaphysical subjectivists postulate that reality is real
enough. About probability, subjective moralists assert that probabilities are just degree of believe
by the agent in a particular situation.
Subjective metaphysics believe that the universe consists of only matter, energy and
information and argues that there is nothing lies outside the material universe. The believe is that
there is no spiritual realm hence no God. According to this view, there are no standards of values
and morality. Any standards are collections of norm choices and human interventions with no
broader meaning. According to Hasker (1983), the individual is free to select his or her standards
and act as he or she wishes without any fear of contravening any objective rules. Subjective
metaphysics believes that there is no life after death and no reward for good behavior or
punishment for bad behavior hence a person if free to choose his or her behavior. There is no
heal or heaven or any promise of eternal life. There is no reason of being accountable for your
acts towards friends, family or government (Hasker, 1983).
Truth is viewed as what works. Whether or not knowledge corresponds to external reality
and whether it is consistent or inconsistent with other knowledge does not count in ascertaining
the truth. The basis of assessing the truth is if it works for you regardless of whether it is the truth
for someone else (Dancy, Sosa. & Steup, 2010). The ultimate test of truth is directly through
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intuition or revelation. Absolute truth is impossible and human beings should search for the truth
that can meet their specific needs (Dancy, Sosa& Steup, 2010).
Epistemology is the belief about the nature and sources of knowledge. It explains how we
think and it is required in order to determine the truth from false. Without epistemology, we
cannot think nor have a reason to believe that our reasoning is correct. Epistemology helps us
promote our goals. According to epistemology our senses is the only way to get information
from the environment after which reasoning is the only method of understanding the information.
Logic helps us avoid contradictory identities and acts as the standard of thought. According to
epistemology, the reasoning uses ideas, memories and senses and it is usually organized and
purposeful. Knowledge is gained through a successful critique of ones perceptions. The
subjective view of epistemology states that it is impossible to make comparison without a
particular criterion. The understanding of the arrangement of knowledge is necessary in
understanding how a concept is linked to lower level concepts. After combining two or more
premises, one can deduce a conclusion from the statements if they are correct and non-
contradictory. What we believe as knowledge and its sources affects what we accept as valid
evidence. Knowledge influences the significance that we give to the authorities, intuition, and
reasons. According to the subjective view, beliefs and acts are valid to the extend that they
correspond to the reality ((Dancy et al., 2010)
Sensory knowledge should be tested empirically before it forms the basis of the actions or
thoughts. If one relies on intuition or revelation or depend on authority then in that case one will
act on external sources of knowledge. If one believes the e knowledge at hand is certain, he will
be confident in the validity of the thoughts. According to Dancy et al (2010), all the doctrines of
subjective epistemology and all the truths are subjective to persons or they are relative to a
belief, culture or time period. Proponents of subjectivism have argued that nothing exists and if
really anything existed, we are not aware of it. They further argue that if someone realized that
anything existed, they would not explain it or communicate that to someone else.
In conclusion, the claim that subjectivity is necessary in justification is not new in the
study of epistemology. According to contemporary epistemologists a person cannot justify a
believe unless the person bases his belief on what confirms it. A significant degree of
subjectivism is required in the analyzing and understanding of knowledge ((Dancy et al., 2010).
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References:
Hasker, W. (1983). Metaphysics: constructing a worldview. New York. Inter-varsity press.
Dancy, J., Sosa, E. & Steup, M. (2010). A companion to epistemology. Oxford. Blackwell
publishing ltd.
Kant, I. (2001). Lectures on ethics. Cambridge. Cambridge University press.