How Can A Non-reductive Physicalist Account Of Moral Properties, Which Posits That Moral Facts Are Inextricably Linked To But Not Reducible To Physical Facts, Be Reconciled With A Moral Epistemology That Emphasizes The Importance Of Normative Intuitions, Given The Tension Between The Physicalism's Implicit Commitment To A Causal Theory Of Reference And The Intuitionism's Reliance On A Priori Reasoning?
Reconciling non-reductive physicalism with a moral epistemology that emphasizes normative intuitions involves several key strategies that bridge the gap between physicalism's causal underpinnings and intuitionism's a priori reasoning. Here's a structured approach:
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Emergentism: Moral properties are understood as emerging from physical facts without being reducible to them. This allows moral facts to have an existence beyond mere physical states, much like complex phenomena in other domains.
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Dual Reference: Concepts like "right" or "wrong" gain meaning both from causal interactions (physical basis) and from the emergent moral properties they represent. This dual nature accommodates both the causal theory of reference and the unique aspects of moral terms.
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Response-Dependence: Moral properties are seen as responses to physical states. Intuitions about morality are thus rooted in these responses, providing a causal basis for moral reference while acknowledging the emergent nature of moral properties.
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Reflective Equilibrium: This method involves balancing moral intuitions with theoretical considerations, integrating a priori reasoning within a physicalist framework. It ensures consistency and coherence between intuitions and the physicalist worldview.
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Philosophical Precedents: Drawing on philosophers like David Chalmers and Susan Schneider, who explore the mind-body problem, offers insights into how higher-level properties relate to physical states, informing the reconciliation of physicalism and intuitionism.
In summary, by embracing emergentism, dual reference, response-dependence, and reflective equilibrium, non-reductive physicalism can coexist with intuitionist moral epistemology, respecting both the physical basis of reality and the unique nature of moral intuitions.