Moral Error Theory

Moral Phenomenology and Moral Theory

Appeals to moral phenomenology—the phenomenology of moral experience—are common in moral philosophy, particularly in metaethical inquiry. But as far as we can tell, the topic of moral phenomenology has not typically been center stage—a focus of inquiry in ethics. And so, going back at least to the writings of G. E. Moore (and with some notable exceptions— see below), very little has been writte...

Moral Intuition, Moral Theory, and Practical Ethics

Moral Theory: the Linguistic Analogy Moral Grammar

The transcendent “grammar”, that is to say the body of rules for individual action and the reciprocal relationships of persons in accordance with justice and solidarity, is inscribed on human consciences, in which the wise plan of God is reflected. As I recently had occasion to reaffirm: “we believe that at the beginning of everything is the eternal word, reason and not unreason (4).” Peace is ...

Aquinas's moral theory.

The moral theory of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) has a theological as well as a philosophical aspect; indeed Thomistic moral philosophy, while theoretically complete in itself, is subsumed into moral theology. I shall here be concerned only with the moral philosophy of Aquinas, but first a word on the possibility ofconsidering his moral philosophy without discussing his moral theology. As a Ch...

Updating Moral Development Theory

One of the great strengths of contemporary work in moral development is its lifespan orientation and the long legacy of theory and research on which contemporary scholars can draw. Moreover, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in the development of moral character and moral personality that derives, in part, from a realization of how the growth of moral awareness is tied to the devel...