Stephen Finlay
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- April 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199347490
- eISBN:
- 9780199347513
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199347490.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Language
A unifying semantics for the word ‘good’ is offered for its nonmoral uses. A common underlying logical syntax is identified: ‘good’ expresses a relation between two propositions with a background ...
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A unifying semantics for the word ‘good’ is offered for its nonmoral uses. A common underlying logical syntax is identified: ‘good’ expresses a relation between two propositions with a background index of information. Goodness (for e) is analyzed as the relation of increasing the probability of an end e, where the relevant end varies by context. Neo-Aristotelian moral functionalism is rejected on linguistic grounds. Other issues discussed include the agent-relativity of value, gradable adjectives, the value of objects, a distinction between objective and subjective value, signatory and instrumental value, and the relationship between value and interests.Less
A unifying semantics for the word ‘good’ is offered for its nonmoral uses. A common underlying logical syntax is identified: ‘good’ expresses a relation between two propositions with a background index of information. Goodness (for e) is analyzed as the relation of increasing the probability of an end e, where the relevant end varies by context. Neo-Aristotelian moral functionalism is rejected on linguistic grounds. Other issues discussed include the agent-relativity of value, gradable adjectives, the value of objects, a distinction between objective and subjective value, signatory and instrumental value, and the relationship between value and interests.
