Weak Points in G.E. Moore's "Refutation of Idealism"
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 11:15 pm
What are some weak points in G.E. Moore's Refutation of Idealism?
..............................................................THE REFUTATION OF IDEALISM
......................................................................................G. E. Moore
......................................................................................Mind 12 (1903)
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Weak Points:
Moore asserted that philosophical arguments can suffer from a confusion between the use of a term in a particular argument and the definition of that term (in all arguments). He named this confusion the naturalistic fallacy. For example, an ethical argument may claim that if a thing has certain properties, then that thing is 'good.' A hedonist may argue that 'pleasant' things are 'good' things. Other theorists may argue that 'complex' things are 'good' things. Moore contends that even if such arguments are correct, they do not provide definitions for the term 'good.' The property of 'goodness' cannot be defined. It can only be shown and grasped. Any attempt to define it (X is good if it has property Y) will simply shift the problem (Why is Y-ness good in the first place?).
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