Neil Sinhababu (National University of Singapore): 'The Reliable Route from Is to Ought'
Please note that the time of this seminar for Week 1 has now changed to 17.00.
I present a three-step procedure that allows us to inductively infer moral truths from nonmoral evidence alone. The first step is to distinguish the cognitive processes generating our beliefs. The second step is to assess the reliability of these processes for moral belief formation by considering their truth ratios with regard to nonmoral issues, and by considering whether they produce inconsistent moral beliefs in different people. The third step is to adjust our credences in the propositions so that they come closer to the truth ratios of the processes leading us to believe them. The method has conceptual foundations in reliabilist epistemology, though it can also be used by proponents of other views.
Convener: Ed Lamb
Members of the audience are invited to join the speaker and the convener for drinks and dinner at a local restaurant following the talk (at their own expense). There will be some limit on the number of people who can attend. Please RSVP to Ed Lamb to reserve a place. Please note that we will no longer be going to dinner afterwards at Somerville College to continue questioning the speaker. In future terms the time of the seminar may be brought forward to 15.00 - 17.00, which would make it possible for all to go to pre-dinner drinks. Please let Ed Lamb know if this change of time would make you more or less likely to attend.
