Huck and His Moral

CompassesObjective vs. Subjective

Morality

Subjective Morality Morality (i.e. right and

wrong) is not always the same

It can differ from society to society, culture to culture, person to person, historical period to historical period, etc.

Objective Morality Morality (i.e. right and wrong) is always the

same Even from person to person and society to

society, there are certain things that are wrong

(continued) Objective Morality is NOT claiming that all

societies and cultures have the same morality – this is, of course, false

So what is it claiming? Certain things are right and certain things are

wrong, and if a society disagrees with, then the society is wrong

i.e. Even though the Nazis thought genocide was OK, we can say it was wrong, even for them

Questions What do we believe? Why?

Pros of Subjective Morality Freedom Self-determining Non-judgmental Avoids certain “oppressive” systems Any problems?

Analogy Is Act X right or wrong?

“It depends on the person” is one answer

Is there a coin in my pocket? Does your opinion change reality? Does it

change from person to person? Why is this the case for morality?

Problems with Subjective Morality

By claiming there is nothing objective right or wrong, we lose all ability to judge ANY moral situations

A pro-slavery country is just as moral as a anti-slavery state

Not only can we not claim the Nazis’ hopes of genocide is wrong, but we must make the claim that their hopes are as good as our hopes that genocide never happens again

The best subjective morality can claim is this: “I think a society that supports slavery should changed, but only because my society has taught me that – not because slavery and racism are wrong.”

If we want to make the claim that racism and slavery are wrong and shouldn’t be in ANY society, then we’re claiming there is some aspect of objective morality.

Problems with Objective Morality

Where do we go to find the things that are objectively right or wrong?

What should our moral compasses be?

Twain and Huck For Twain to claim racism and slavery are

wrong, which he does, he must be appealing to some for of a moral compass

What is it?