10 THE MORAL ARGUMENT The moral argument has

-10 THE MORAL ARGUMENT

• The moral argument has traditionally been associated with the practical philosophy of I. Kant. But there also some contemporary defenders of the moral argument such as C. S. Lewis. • There are several types of the moral argument. • Some emphasize that the objectivity of moral truths (moral realism) can be explained by reference to God.

KANT AND MORAL ARGUMENT • The moral argument that is attributed to Kant appeals to his practical (moral) philosophy. • In Kant's moral metaphysics, good will is the necessary condition of morality and being worthy of happiness. This is because man is rational and has free will. • Our will ought be unconditionally determined by the moral law, which is universal. • Man should always act in accordance with such a universal moral law.

THE HIGHEST GOOD • The ultimate goal of moral actions is the realization of the "highest good» . Such an ideal is generated as the end of moral actions. It is the necessary object of a will determined by moral law. • However, it is impossible for a person to achieve this ideal where happiness is proportioned to virtue- in this world. • The achievement of this ideal is possible only through the immortality of the soul and the existence of God. • The existence of God is therefore postulated.

EVALUATION • It is not clear whether Kant’s postulating the existence of God is meant to be an argument. • By postulating the existence of God, it it controversial as to whether Kant wanted to fill a gap in his moral metaphysics or he wanted to develop a proper argument for the existence of God. • On the one hand, Kant tries to maintain the autonomy of morality, on the other hand, he attributes the realization of the highest good to the existence of God.

EVALUATION • It has also been controversial if the realisation of the highest good is a proper end of our moral actions. • According to Mackie, the realization of the highest good is not a necessary postulate if morality is autonomous. • But, can there be a true morality without such ideal given that happiness ought to be proportionate to virtue?

THE OBJECTIVITY OF MORAL TRUTHS • The source of morality matters if it is conceded that moral truths objectively valid and therefore independently true of our agreements, conventions or actions. • C. S. Lewis argued for the objectivity of moral truths considering that they cannot be relative to a person or society. The idea that morality is relative is sometimes put forward as a reason for being tolerant against others. But the very idea of tolerance (that one ought to be tolerant), for Lewis, justifies moral objectivity.

• According to Lewis, the source of moral objectivity cannot be the factual world. Because science gives us an explanation of the «what is» , it can not say anything about «what ought to be» . • Nor can the source of moral objectivity be the human mind. Because the validity of moral truths holds even if no human being exist. • The objectivity of moral truth can therefore be explained only by reference to a supernatural mind, that is God.