Argument for objective morality through natural reason
These are in progress and subject to revision. Feedback welcomed.
Last revised: 01/08/24
Simplified 10-step argument linked here.
The subpoints provide further clarifying thoughts or definitions.
If a thing receives what it lacks in a certain respect, then that thing is ontologically perfected in that respect.
In other words, when something gains some aspect of what it needs to perform what it's disposed to do, it becomes more complete or more realizes its nature.
Actualization is the process through which a thing receives what it lacks in a certain respect.
Therefore, if a thing is actualized, then that thing is ontologically perfected in that respect. (hypothetical syllogism)
The act of being is the principle by which things are actualized.
The act of being is the reason or principle why a thing transitions from mere possibility to actual existence, making something real and present, rather than just a possibility.
Therefore, if a thing receives the act of being, then that thing is ontologically perfected in that respect. (hypothetical syllogism)
Whatever perfects a thing is ontologically good for a thing, including a person.
Existence is how the act of being is instantiated in a particular thing.
Therefore, existence is ontologically good for a particular thing, including a particular person. (hypothetical syllogism)
If something is ontologically good for a particular person, then it is of value to that person's self.
A value is that which one acts to achieve or maintain.
The predicate “is of value” indicates the subject contributes to one’s goals or ends.
A person’s self refers to a the totality of a person’s identity and experiences, which would include one’s mind or conceptual faculty. The thinking self (mind, consciousness) interprets and makes sense of experiences. The experienced self (identity, personal history) provides the context that shapes thinking. Our ability to reflect on our experiences gives rise to a sense of continuity and identity over time.
Even someone currently without intentional no goals or ends, their existence sustains the foundation for potential goals and ends.
Therefore, one’s existence is of value to one’s self. (modus ponens)
If a thing of value to one’s self is the precondition to achieve or maintain any other goal or end, and there is no goal or end that can be achieved or maintained otherwise, then that thing of value is logically entailed to achieve or maintain all other goals or ends, and all other goals or ends are subordinate to it, as all other goals or ends depend on it for their realization.
There is no goal or end for one to achieve or maintain without first existing.
While various goals or ends enhance or diminish the quality or meaning of one’s existence, all other values are ultimately dependent on existing in the first place. All other alternatives or states of being a person confronts are contingent on one’s existence. A fundamental goal or end is one that serves as the foundation for all other goals or ends. Without it, no other goals or ends can be realized.
Even pursuing critically important values at the risk of pain or a shorter lifespan are ways of contributing to the quality or meaning of one’s existence, so one way of adding to the quality of one’s self may be to engage in life-threatening or sacrificial self-destructive acts. One’s existence is not just a snapshot of the present moment but a continuum that includes the past, present and future. One’s existence is not limited to their current or future self but includes their past self and the choices made throughout life.
Therefore, one's existence is logically entailed to achieve or maintain all other goals or ends, and all other goals or ends are subordinate to one’s existence. (modus ponens)
If true, then one must achieve or maintain that logically entailed thing of value in order to act intentionally.
Therefore, one must achieve or maintain one’s existence in order to act intentionally. (modus ponens)
If true, then performing intentional acts presupposes the implicit desirability of one’s existence.
Therefore, performing intentional acts presupposes the implicit desirability of one’s existence. (modus ponens)
If a thing of value is implicitly desirable and all other goals or ends are subordinate to that thing of value, then one ought or should achieve or maintain that thing of value.
In this context, the "ought" is a directive for behavior that seeks to preserve or secure the very conditions that make other goals or ends meaningful or possible. This "ought" is grounded in the practical necessity of valuing the thing of value (e.g., existence, well-being) as a prerequisite for achieving goals. Importantly, this "ought" is not derived from descriptive facts about the world but arises from the normative relationship between the thing of value and the goals or ends that depend on it. Practical necessity is inherently normative because it involves evaluating actions in light of their contribution to achieving or maintaining goals, which are themselves expressions of what individuals value. This process is meant to deduces what actions are better or more appropriate than others for achieving a given goal or end, and in this case the given goal or end has been deduced by logical inference, not subjective preference or cultural influence.
This method is epistemically objective since the claims are knowable or verifiable through rational, evidence-based methods, regardless of personal biases or subjective perspectives. For instance, the claim "The moon is currently (x) km from Earth" is epistemically objective because it can be verified through scientific measurement and evidence, even though it requires human interpretation, tools, and methods to establish its accuracy.
Therefore, one ought or should achieve or maintain one’s existence. (modus ponens)
If "ought" or “should” implies "can" and people have volition, then the principle that one ought or should achieve or maintain one’s existence applies only to living things with volition, like people.
Volition means the capacity to form intentions.
"Ought" or “should” implies "can,” and people have volition.
Therefore, the principle that one ought or should achieve or maintain one’s existence applies only to living things with volition, like people. (modus ponens)
If one ought or should achieve or maintain one’s existence, then one ought to cherish one’s self.
To cherish means means taking intentional action to achieve or maintain a goal or end.
Therefore, one ought to cherish one’s self. (modus ponens)
If there is a goal or end logically entailed that one ought or should achieve or maintain, and there is no goal or end logically prior to it, then that goal or end is an objective standard of moral value, a mind-independent normative measure against which goals or ends can be evaluated.
A moral value is a goal or end one ought or should achieve or maintain.
Therefore, one’s existence is an objective standard of moral value. (modus ponens)
If true, then each person’s existence is an objective standard of moral value
If true, then no one has a greater claim of moral value or authority over another.
Therefore, no one has a greater claim of moral value or authority over another. (hypothetical syllogism)
If true, then people’s standard of value, which entails to cherish one’s self, is of equal consideration to all others.
If all people are morally equal, this creates a reciprocal relationship where individuals recognize and respect each other’s standards of value.
Therefore, people ought to cherish all other people as they cherish themselves. (modus ponens)
If the fullest or greatest realization of one’s self is to reach a state of complete actualization, then one ought to cherish that state of being.
To cherish a value, one must cherish what is innate to it.
The Good is the fullest act of being, where all potential is actualized completely.
Therefore, one ought to cherish The Good. (modus ponens)
Simplified argument
One’s existence is of value to one’s self.
One's existence is logically entailed to achieve or maintain all other goals or ends, and there is no value logically prior to it.
If something of value is logically entailed to achieve or maintain all other goals or ends, and there is no value logically prior to it, then one ought or should act to achieve or maintain that thing of value.
Therefore, one ought to act to achieve or maintain one’s existence, which entails one ought cherish one’s self.
If there is something logically entailed that one ought or should act to achieve or maintain and there is no value logically prior to it, then that thing is an objective standard of moral value.
Therefore, one’s existence is an objective standard of moral value.
If each person’s existence is an objective standard of moral value and no one has greater claim of moral value or authority over another, then people’s standard of value is of equal consideration, which entails people ought to cherish all others as they cherish themselves.
Therefore, no one has greater claim of moral value or authority over another, which entails people ought to cherish all others as they cherish themselves.
The Good is the fullest realization of one’s self.
Therefore, one ought to cherish The Good.