Moral Truth

Moral Truth

by Prof. Gila Sher

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Philosophy & Ethics QDTTopics in philosophyQDTQEthics and moral philosophy
🎙 Prof. Gila Sher 👥 1K 📅 June 5, 2022 ⏱ 123 min 👁 110 📄 lecture 🧭 2026-08-17
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

moral truthcorrespondenceethicsvaluesnormativity

Summary

In this lecture, Professor Gila Sher argues that there is objective truth in ethics, grounded in a correspondence relation between moral statements and moral values. She begins by distinguishing epistemic and moral dimensions of truth, then defines moral values as arising from human needs and conflicts, citing Hume. She addresses metaphysical challenges to moral truth, such as Mackie’s queerness argument, and responds by noting that similar challenges apply to science. Sher proposes that moral truth involves a double correspondence: a moral statement is true if it positively correlates with relevant moral values, and this correlation is itself objective. She illustrates with examples like ‘saving life is good’ and contrasts with physical truths that involve single correspondence. The lecture concludes that moral values are real creations of civilization, and moral truth is a complex correspondence relation.

135 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides a valuable and original contribution to metaethics by proposing a correspondence theory of moral truth that avoids metaphysical commitments to strange entities. Sher’s argument is well-structured, moving from general considerations about truth to specific application in ethics. She anticipates objections and offers responses, such as addressing the queerness challenge by analogy with science. The argumentation is rigorous and philosophically informed, though some steps rely on assumptions about the objectivity of moral values that may be contested.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

Sher demonstrates scholarly rigor by referencing key philosophers (Hume, Kant, Mill, Mackie, Enoch) and engaging with contemporary debates. The sources are appropriate and accurately cited. The title ‘Moral Truth’ precisely matches the content, which is a focused examination of whether moral statements can be true. The lecture is part of a series, indicating a systematic approach.

150 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which is a philosophical examination of whether moral statements can be true.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The lecture is given by a recognized philosopher (Gila Sher) and presents a coherent argument for moral truth based on correspondence theory. It engages with classical and contemporary sources, though it is a lecture rather than a peer-reviewed publication.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • Taking Morality Seriously: A Defense of Robust Realism — Supports the idea of objective moral truths.

Dissenting Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture offers a novel synthesis of correspondence theory and moral realism, proposing that moral truth involves a double correlation between actions and moral values, and between statements and that correlation. This provides a way to maintain objectivity in ethics without positing exotic entities.

Pour aller plus loin :

74 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in information quantity and quality, indicating a dense and well-supported lecture. The technical level is moderately high, reflecting the philosophical nature. Overall reliability is strong, with minor caveats about the lecture format.

Reliability 8/10

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