Introduction

Abstract

Abstract What is moral realism? And why does it matter whether moral realism is true? These are the questions addressed in this chapter. The chapter also explains the organization of the volume. It begins, intuitively, with what we think is the basic idea that underlies moral realism, and with several considerations that motivate it. The fundamental thought, we think, can be expressed as a parity thesis – moral facts, properties, judgments, and truths have the same basic metaphysical status as other kinds, including physical, psychological, mathematical, and temporal ones, whatever other differences there are among them. We elaborate and articulate this basic idea. We conclude with a brief overview of the volume.

Topics & Concepts