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THE FAILURE OF NEW ATHEISM MORALITY
THE FAILURE OF NEW ATHEISM MORALITY

Author(s): Robert A. Delfino
Subject(s): Philosophy, Special Branches of Philosophy
Published by: International Étienne Gilson Society
Keywords: atheism; ethics; evolution; metaphysical naturalism; objective moral values

Summary/Abstract: New atheists, such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, generally speaking, are committed to two main beliefs. The first is scientism, which is the view that only science can give us complete and reliable knowledge of reality. The second is metaphysical naturalism, which is the view that no supernatural entities exist. In this article the author focuses on the metaphysical naturalism that new atheists and other naturalists accept, with the goal of answering the following question: Can metaphysical naturalism provide an adequate foundation for objective moral values? He argues that the answer is “no” and he discusses several serious problems inherent in a naturalistic account of the foundation of morality.

  • Issue Year: 4/2015
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 229-240
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English
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