I cannot see how to refute the arguments for the subjectivity of ethical values, but I find myself i

1
I cannot see how to refute the arguments for
the subjectivity of ethical values, but I find
myself incapable of believing that all that is
wrong with wanton cruelty is that I dont like
it. BERTRAND RUSSELL
2
1st/2nd order scepticism

• Russells concern regards the possibility of
  moral argument 1st order scepticism
• 2nd order sceptic do not take talk/argument
  about values as something analogous to
  talk/argument about how the world is.
• this is a metaphysical point.

3
values are not part of the fabric of the world

• E.g.
• We can
• argue about how many people are in the room
• argue about the colour of my hair
• argue about whether the Iraq war is just
• In each case, Mackie
• encourages us to keep on
• arguing

4
metaphysics

• In these cases we are arguing
• about
• the world
• how the world systematically affects us
• how the world affects us dependent on various
  practices/ways of living
• values are an effect not in the
• world, but in us.

5
conditional on standards

• there are agreed standards for
• marking philosophy essays -
• there is a practice of this.
• if x is unjust is simply true, there is no
  objective requirement to refrain from doing x.
• if this is true, it is so relative to standards
• there is choice in standards
• that does not mean they are arbitrary.

6
argument from queerness

• objective value has to provide to someone who
  knows it both direction and overriding motive.
• an objective good would be sought by anyone who
  was acquainted with itit has to-be-pursuednessbu
  ilt into it (p.40)
• values pull, but the world doesnt pull!