ISSUES IN BIOETHICSIs there “objective truth” in ethics?

ByGabriel Tordjman

Humanities 345-BXH:Issues in BioethicsWinter 2013

What is “objective truth?”

As a noun “objective” means “goal” or “aim” but this is not what we mean here. We want the adjective meaning of objective, which is:

“... something that can be known...; existing independent of thought or an observer as part of reality”. (dictionary.com)

What is “objective truth?”

“Objective” means something that can be known and that exists whether people know it or believe it or not.

Objective truth means something that is true regardless of anyone’s or any culture’s opinion.

Are there objective truths at all?

2 +2 + 4 Is this mathematical statement true? If someone believes it’s not true, is

it still true? What if an entire culture believes it’s not true, is it still true?

Is it objectively true? (True regardless of the opinion or beliefs of anyone or any culture?)

“Questions About Adi Da and Adidam,” http://www.adidaupclose.org/FAQs/postmodernism2.html

Are there objective truths at all?

•This is the geocentric model of the universe. •It placed the earth at the centre of the universe.•People believed in this model for thousands of years?•Were they right? •Were they right even back then?

“Cosmology and the Origin of Life,” http://zebu.uoregon.edu/2002/ph123/lec02.html

How to talk to an alien

The SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) organization is looking for evidence of intelligent life in the universe.

SETI Institute, “The History of SETI, http://www.seti.org/Page.aspx?pid=581

(We are looking for the same thing at Dawson College)

How to talk to an alien

What if they make contact? How will they talk to them? Is there any language they could use that

these aliens must know if they are intelligent creatures?

If there is, then that language must be “objective”; something that is known and true and independent of the culture one comes from.

How to talk to an alien

2 +2 + 4 That language would be the

language of mathematics. Mathematics is true, regardless of

the culture or opinion or beliefs of anyone.

Mathematics is objectively true.

How to talk to an alien

In the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a massive space ship from another planet lands on Earth.

The aliens had sent a message using the language of music and mathematics

How to talk to an alien

And the humans understood it and sent back a musical/mathematical response. Musical scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Kgzn3tDQU

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, http://thecia.com.au/reviews/c/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind.shtml

How to talk to an alien

2 + 2 = 4

“Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, http://thecia.com.au/reviews/c/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind.shtml

What a nerd!

The assumption of the movie and SETI is that we can communicate with aliens through mathematics because mathematics is objectively true.

Yes, there are objective truths!

Not just mathematics but the laws of nature are also “objectively true”. This includes the law of gravity, laws of motion, and many others that scientists have discovered.

Objective Truth in Ethics?

We can make a good case for objective truth in mathematics and science but the BIG question is:

Are there objective truths in ethics?

Objective Truth in Ethics?

At first sight, the answer is no because: The laws of nature can be proved with

facts that we can see, measure, weigh, test and duplicate. That is not the case with what is right and wrong (ethics).

As a matter of fact individuals and cultures differ on what they consider right and wrong.

Therefore, there is no “objective truth” in ethics, only subjective truth.

What is Subjective Truth?

A “subject” is an individual or a group. Subjective truth means something that is

true from the point of view of the subject.

What is Subjective Truth?

Subjective truth depends on the viewpoint of the subject, while objective truth is independent of the viewpoint of the subject.

I like cats

I like ducks

What is Subjective Truth?

Some things are clearly subjective truths: I like coffee and you like tea. These are true but there is no “right

answer” for everyone (objectively) This is a matter of subjective preference.

Objective Truth in Ethics?

So, are ethical truths merely subjective, true only from the viewpoint of the individual, or true only as matter of personal preference or taste?

If so, there are no objective ethical truths. BUT: Maybe a case can still be made for

objective truth in ethics.

The case for objective truth in ethics

First, it isn’t really true that only natural laws and scientific theories can be supported with facts and logic.

Ethical theories can also be supported with facts and logic.

However, ethics cannot claim the same degree of certainty as science.

The case for objective truth in ethics

Next, it isn’t true that cultures differ on all ethical questions.

For example, there is no culture that encourages people to kill other members of their culture.

The case for objective truth in ethics

Humans are much alike in their physical bodies and in their basic needs.

Thus, they will come up with many ideas and values that serve to meet these needs.

In this way, many (but not all) values and ethics in all cultures will be the same.

The case for objective truth in ethics

Moreover, some claim humans have an innate moral sense ( we are born with a capacity to develop morality)

Just like everyone has biological features in common (eyes, limbs, head) we may also have common moral features, like the moral sense.

If so, this would also tend to support the view that there is a common or objective ethics.

The case for objective truth in ethics

"Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe... the starry sky above me and the moral law within me."

Maybe this is part of what Kant meant when he said:

The case for objective truth in ethics

Finally, we should also consider this: Many people don’t like the idea of an

objective truth in ethics because it sounds intolerant.

What is their case? What are the drawbacks to their

viewpoint? Do you agree/disagree with them? Why?

What do you think of the idea that there is an objective truth in ethics?

The End