31st Annual Student Research Conference
On Secular Moral Objective Foundation
Reese A. Bennett
Dr. Chad Mohler, Faculty Mentor
Sam Harris intends to propose a “Moral Science” as an objective moral framework centered on the maximization of the wellbeing of conscious beings. Despite making contributions in establishing an objective framework, it nevertheless fails due to inherent utilitarian underpinnings. Specifically, his empirical reasoning with regards to meta-ethics and the issues that come with his utilitarian empirical conceptualization of “wellbeing” will be explored. Instead of the utilitarian foundation, a developmental virtue ethics foundation similar to Richard kraut will be proposed as a solution to the problems previously established. While changing the foundational framework, it maintains and surpasses the focus on fostering the wellbeing of conscious beings.
Keywords: Sam Harris, Ethics , Virtue ethics , Utilitarianism, Philosophy
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 310-5
Location: VH 1224
Time: 2:00