Metaethics, agnosticism, and logic

Dialectica 60 (1):47–61 (2006)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

In this paper, I present an argument for the revision of classical logic. The argument is based on the coherence of a metaethical position which is a species of agnosticism. According to this view, the debate between cognitivists and noncognitivists about moral discourse is unresolved. I argue that there is something at stake in this debate and so something one can coherently be agnostic about. The revisionary argument also draws on principles of epistemic closure. I make these principles explicit and indicate to what extent they can plausibly be assumed. The proposal to revise classical logic is likely to meet with some resistance: classical logic is too deeply entrenched in our reasoning. Before suggesting what to put in its place, I address and defuse four objections that might be levelled against the argument for its revision. I close with some general remarks on the force of arguments for logical reform

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 91,881

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Agnosticism about other worlds: A new antirealist programme in modality.John Divers - 2004 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 69 (3):660–685.
Naturalism and agnosticism.James Ward - 1899 - New York,: Kraus Reprint Co..
Weak agnosticism defended.Graham Oppy - 1994 - International Journal for Philosophy of Religion 36 (3):147 - 167.
How a Kantian can accept evolutionary metaethics.Frederick Rauscher - 1997 - Biology and Philosophy 12 (3):303-326.
Anti-individualism and agnosticism.Jessica Brown - 2001 - Analysis 61 (3):213-24.
Agnosticism as a third stance.Sven Rosenkranz - 2007 - Mind 116 (461):55-104.

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
73 (#225,692)

6 months
7 (#430,488)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Sven Rosenkranz
Universitat de Barcelona

Citations of this work

No citations found.

Add more citations

References found in this work

The logical basis of metaphysics.Michael Dummett - 1991 - Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Truth and objectivity.Crispin Wright - 1992 - Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
Individualism and the mental.Tyler Burge - 1979 - Midwest Studies in Philosophy 4 (1):73-122.
Truth and Objectivity.Crispin Wright - 1992 - Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.

View all 14 references / Add more references