The phenomenology of moral intuition

Journal article


Audi, Robert. (2022). The phenomenology of moral intuition. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice. 25, pp. 53-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-021-10245-w
AuthorsAudi, Robert
Abstract

Moral judgment commonly depends on intuition. It is also true, though less widely agreed, that ethical theory depends on it. The nature and epistemic status of intuition have long been concerns of philosophy, and, with the increasing importance of ethical intuitionism as a major position in ethics, they are receiving much philosophical attention. There is growing agreement that intuition conceived as a kind of seeming is essential for both the justification of moral judgment and the confirmation of ethical theories. This paper describes several importantly different kinds of intuition, particularly the episodic kinds often called seemings. This is done partly by sketching numerous examples of intuition. Intuitive seemings and moral judgments based on them differ in content, basis, epistemic authority, and phenomenology. The paper explores these four dimensions of intuition and, in doing so, compares moral intuition with moral perception. The overall aim is to clarify moral phenomenology both descriptively and epistemologically and to support the view that intuitions are often discriminative responses to experience and have justificatory power analogous to the power of sense-perceptions.

Keywordsemotion; moral experience; moral judgment; perception; phenomenal episode; recognition; seeming
Year2022
JournalEthical Theory and Moral Practice
Journal citation25, pp. 53-69
PublisherSpringer
ISSN1386-2820
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-021-10245-w
PubMed ID35018134
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85122726742
PubMed Central IDPMC8736289
Page range53-69
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online07 Jan 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted05 Oct 2021
Deposited16 May 2023
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8z04y/the-phenomenology-of-moral-intuition

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 66
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Are reasons normatively basic?
Audi, Robert. (2022). Are reasons normatively basic? Noûs. 56(3), pp. 639-653. https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12377
Religious accommodation in bioethics and the practice of medicine
Smith, William R. and Audi, Robert. (2021). Religious accommodation in bioethics and the practice of medicine. The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy. 46(2), pp. 188-218. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhaa038
Acting rightly : Three dimensions of moral conduct
Audi, Robert. (2021). Acting rightly : Three dimensions of moral conduct. Ratio. 34(1), pp. 56-67. https://doi.org/10.1111/rati.12286
Toward an epistemology of moral principles
Audi, Robert. (2020). Toward an epistemology of moral principles. Res Philosophica. 97(1), pp. 69-92. https://doi.org/10.11612/resphil.1844
Doxasticism: Belief and the information-responsiveness of mind
Audi, Robert. (2019). Doxasticism: Belief and the information-responsiveness of mind. Episteme. https://doi.org/10.1017/epi.2018.53
Faith, belief, and will: Toward a volitional stance theory of faith
Audi, Robert. (2019). Faith, belief, and will: Toward a volitional stance theory of faith. Sophia: international journal of philosophy and traditions. 58(3), pp. 409 - 422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11841-018-0653-x
Religious disagreement structure, content, and prospects for resolution
Audi, Robert. (2018). Religious disagreement structure, content, and prospects for resolution. Philosophia Christi. 20(1), pp. 277-288. https://doi.org/10.5840/pc201820126
On intellectualism in the theory of action
Audi, Robert. (2018). On intellectualism in the theory of action. Journal of the American Philosophical Association. 3(3), pp. 284-300. https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2017.29
Methodological reflections on Kant’s ethical theory
Audi, Robert. (2018). Methodological reflections on Kant’s ethical theory. Synthese. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-018-01977-x
Understanding, self-evidence, and justification
Audi, Robert. (2018). Understanding, self-evidence, and justification. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. 99(2), pp. 358 - 381. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.12492
Role modeling and reasons: Developmental and normative grounds of moral virtues
Audi, Robert. (2017). Role modeling and reasons: Developmental and normative grounds of moral virtues. Journal of Moral Philosophy. 14(6), pp. 646 - 668. https://doi.org/10.1163/17455243-46810063
Trust, but verify: A language and the role of trust in corporate culture
Audi, Robert, Loughran, Tim and McDonald, Bill. (2016). Trust, but verify: A language and the role of trust in corporate culture. Journal of Business Ethics. 139(3), pp. 551 - 561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2659-4
Normative disagreement as a challenge to moral philosophy and philosophical theology
Audi, Robert. (2014). Normative disagreement as a challenge to moral philosophy and philosophical theology. In In M. Bergmann and P. Kain (Ed.). Challenges to moral and religious belief: Disagreement and evolution pp. 61 - 79 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199669776.003.0004
Normativity and generality in ethics and aesthetics
Audi, Robert. (2014). Normativity and generality in ethics and aesthetics. Journal of Ethics. 18(4), pp. 373 - 390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10892-014-9185-y
Faith as attitude, trait, and virtue
Audi, Robert. (2014). Faith as attitude, trait, and virtue. In In K. Timpe and C. Boyd (Ed.). Virtues and their vices pp. 327 - 348 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199645541.003.0016
Normality and generality in ethics and aesthetics
Audi, Robert. (2014). Normality and generality in ethics and aesthetics. The Journal of Ethics: An International Philosophical Review. 18(4), pp. 373 - 390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10892-014-9185-y
Intuition, agency detection, and social coordination as analytical and explanatory constructs in the cognitive science of religion
Audi, Robert. (2014). Intuition, agency detection, and social coordination as analytical and explanatory constructs in the cognitive science of religion. In In R. Trigg and J. L. Barratt (Ed.). The roots of religion: Exploring the cognitive science of religion pp. 17 - 36 Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Church-State separation healthcare policy and religious liberty
Audi, Robert. (2014). Church-State separation healthcare policy and religious liberty. Journal of Practical Ethics. 2(1), pp. 1 - 23.
Ethical naturalism as a challenge to theological ethics
Audi, Robert. (2014). Ethical naturalism as a challenge to theological ethics. Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. 34(1), pp. 21 - 39. https://doi.org/10.1353/sce.2014.0005
The scientific study of religion and the pillars of human dignity
Audi, Robert. (2013). The scientific study of religion and the pillars of human dignity. The Monist- An International Journal of General Philosophical Inquiry. 96(3), pp. 462 - 479.
Doxastic innocence: phenomenal conservatism and epistemological common sense
Audi, Robert. (2013). Doxastic innocence: phenomenal conservatism and epistemological common sense. In In C. Tucker (Ed.). Seemings and justification: new essays on dogmatism and phenomenal conservatism pp. 181 - 201 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199899494.003.0008
Knowledge, justification, and the normativity of epistemology
Audi, Robert. (2013). Knowledge, justification, and the normativity of epistemology. Modern Schoolman. 90(2), pp. 127 - 145. https://doi.org/10.11612/resphil.2013.90.2.2
Belief: A study of form, content, and reference
Audi, Robert. (2013). Belief: A study of form, content, and reference. In In N. Nottelmann (Ed.). New essays on belief: Constitution, content, and structure pp. 30 - 54 Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137026521_3
Doxastic Innocence: Phenomenal Conservatism and Epistemological Common Sense
Audi, Robert. (2013). Doxastic Innocence: Phenomenal Conservatism and Epistemological Common Sense. In In C. Tucker (Ed.). Seemings and Justification: New essays on dogmatism and phenomenal conservatis pp. 181 - 201 Oxford University Press.
Testimony as a social foundation of knowledge
Audi, Robert. (2013). Testimony as a social foundation of knowledge. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. 87(3), pp. 507 - 531. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1933-1592.2011.00525.x
The practical authority of normative beliefs: Toward an integrated theory of practical rationality
Audi, Robert. (2013). The practical authority of normative beliefs: Toward an integrated theory of practical rationality. Organon F. 20(4), pp. 527 - 545.
The nature of normativity and the project of naturalizing the normative
Audi, Robert. (2013). The nature of normativity and the project of naturalizing the normative. In In J. Stelmach, B. Brozek and M. Hohol (Ed.). The many faces of normativity pp. 15 - 50 Copernicus Center Press.
Cognitive Disparities: Dimensions of Intellectual Diversity and the Resolution of Disagreements
Audi, Robert. (2013). Cognitive Disparities: Dimensions of Intellectual Diversity and the Resolution of Disagreements. In In D. Christensen and J. Lackey (Ed.). The Epistemology of Disagreement: New Essays pp. 205 - 222 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199698370.003.0010
Moral perception
Audi, Robert. (2013). Moral perception Princeton University Press.
Virtues, Concepts, and Rules in Business Ethics : Reflections on the Contributions of Robert C. Solomon
Audi, Robert. (2012). Virtues, Concepts, and Rules in Business Ethics : Reflections on the Contributions of Robert C. Solomon. In In K. Higgins and D. Sherman (Ed.). Passion, Death, and Spirituality pp. 103 - 111 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4650-3_8
Are there two free will problems? Compatibilism, incompatibilism, and moral responsibility [Esistono due problemi del libero arbitrio? Compatibilismo, incompaibilismo e responsabilità morale]
Audi, Robert. (2012). Are there two free will problems? Compatibilism, incompatibilism, and moral responsibility [Esistono due problemi del libero arbitrio? Compatibilismo, incompaibilismo e responsabilità morale]. Rivista di Filosofia. 113(2), pp. 329 - 334.
Virtue ethics as a resource in business
Audi, Robert. (2012). Virtue ethics as a resource in business. Business Ethics Quarterly. 22(2), pp. 273 - 291. https://doi.org/10.5840/beq201222220
Normativity be naturalized?
Audi, Robert. (2012). Normativity be naturalized? In In S. Nuccetelli and G. Seay (Ed.). Ethical Naturalism: Current Debates pp. 169 - 193 Cambridge University Press.
Religion and politics
Audi, Robert. (2012). Religion and politics. In In D. Estlund (Ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Political Philosophy pp. 223 - 240 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195376692.013.0012
Secular and religious foundations of normative standards: Liberalism, naturalism, and rationalism in political philosophy
Audi, Robert. (2012). Secular and religious foundations of normative standards: Liberalism, naturalism, and rationalism in political philosophy. In In L. Siep, T. Gutmann and B. Jakl (Ed.). From the religious to the secular justification of state standards pp. 33 - 55 Mohr Siebeck.
Natural reason, religious conviction, and the justification of coercion in democratic societies
Audi, Robert. (2012). Natural reason, religious conviction, and the justification of coercion in democratic societies. In In L. Zucca and C. Ungureanu (Ed.). Law, State and Religion in the New Europe: Debates and Dilemmas pp. 65 - 92 Cambridge University Press.
Kantian intuitionism as a framework for the justification of moral judgements
Audi, Robert. (2012). Kantian intuitionism as a framework for the justification of moral judgements. In In M. Timmons (Ed.). Oxford Studies in Normative Ethics 2 pp. 8 - 31 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199662951.003.0006
Reason and experience, obligation and value: An introduction to the New Intuitionism
Audi, Robert. (2011). Reason and experience, obligation and value: An introduction to the New Intuitionism. In In J. Graper Hernandez (Ed.). The New Intuitionism pp. 45 - 52 Continuum International Publishing Group.
Democratic authority and the separation of church and state
Audi, Robert. (2011). Democratic authority and the separation of church and state Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199796083.001.0001
Rationality and religious commitment
Audi, Robert. (2011). Rationality and religious commitment Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199609574.001.0001
The ethics of belief and the morality of action: Intellectual responsibility and rational disagreement
Audi, Robert. (2011). The ethics of belief and the morality of action: Intellectual responsibility and rational disagreement. Philosophy. 86(1), pp. 5 - 29. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031819110000586
Faith, faithfulness, and virtue
Audi, Robert. (2011). Faith, faithfulness, and virtue. Faith and Philosophy. 28(3), pp. 294 - 309.
Moral knowledge
Audi, Robert. (2011). Moral knowledge. In In S. Bernecker and D. Pritchard (Ed.). The Routledge Companion to Epistemology pp. 380 - 392 Routledge.
Intuitions, intuitionism, and moral judgment
Audi, Robert. (2011). Intuitions, intuitionism, and moral judgment. In In J. G. Hernandez (Ed.). The New Intuitionism, London and New York pp. 171 - 198 Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Recent work in ethical theory and its implications for business ethics
Arnold, Denis, Audi, Robert and Zwolinski, Matt. (2010). Recent work in ethical theory and its implications for business ethics. Business Ethics Quarterly. 20(4), pp. 559 - 581. https://doi.org/10.5840/beq201020438
The place of ethical theory in business ethics
Audi, Robert. (2010). The place of ethical theory in business ethics. In In G. G. Brenkert (Ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics pp. 46 - 69 Oxford University Press.
Virtue Ethics in Theory and Practice
Audi, Robert. (2010). Virtue Ethics in Theory and Practice. In In N. Szutta (Ed.). Wspolczesna Etyka Cnot: Mozliwosci I Orgraniczenisa pp. 39 - 66 Semper.
Reasons for action
Audi, Robert. (2010). Reasons for action. In In J. Skorupski (Ed.). The Routledge Companion to Ethics pp. 275 - 285 Routledge.
Moral perception and moral knowledge
Audi, Robert. (2010). Moral perception and moral knowledge. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Supplementary Volume. 84(1), pp. 79 - 97. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8349.2010.00187.x
Practical reason and the status of moral obligation
Audi, Robert. (2010). Practical reason and the status of moral obligation. Canadian Journal of Philosophy. 33(Sup1), pp. 197 - 229. https://doi.org/10.1353/cjp.0.0074
Corporate culture and quality of life: The virtues of industry and the rewards of leisure
Audi, Robert. (2010). Corporate culture and quality of life: The virtues of industry and the rewards of leisure. In In M. R. Haney and A. D. Kline (Ed.). The Value of Time and Leisure in a World of Work pp. 89 - 100 Lexington Books.
Moral virtue and reasons for action
Audi, Robert. (2009). Moral virtue and reasons for action. Philosophical issues. 19, pp. 1 - 20.
Religious reasons and the liberty of citizens: Reflections on Kent Greenawalt's 'religion and the constitution'
Audi, Robert. (2009). Religious reasons and the liberty of citizens: Reflections on Kent Greenawalt's 'religion and the constitution'. Constitutional Commentary.
Science education, religious toleration, and liberal neutrality toward the good
Audi, Robert. (2009). Science education, religious toleration, and liberal neutrality toward the good. In The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Education pp. 333 - 357 Oxford University Press.
Natural reason, natural rights, and governmental neutrality toward religion
Audi, Robert. (2009). Natural reason, natural rights, and governmental neutrality toward religion. Religion and Human Rights. 4(2-3), pp. 157 - 175. https://doi.org/10.1163/187103109X12471223630955
Business ethics and ethical business
Audi, Robert. (2009). Business ethics and ethical business Oxford University Press.
Objectivity without egoism: Toward balance in business ethics
Audi, Robert. (2009). Objectivity without egoism: Toward balance in business ethics. Academy of Management Learning and Education. 8(2), pp. 263 - 274. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMLE.2009.41788850
Nationalism, patriotism, and cosmopolitanism in an age of globalization
Audi, Robert. (2009). Nationalism, patriotism, and cosmopolitanism in an age of globalization. Journal of Ethics. 13(4), pp. 365 - 381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10892-009-9068-9
The psychology of character and the theology of virtue
Audi, Robert. (2009). The psychology of character and the theology of virtue. In In C. S. Titus (Ed.). The Psychology of Character and Virtue pp. 101 - 118 The Institute for the Psychological Sciences.
Religion and the politics of science: Can evolutionary biology be religiously neutral?
Audi, Robert. (2009). Religion and the politics of science: Can evolutionary biology be religiously neutral? Philosophy and Social Criticism. 35(1-2), pp. 23 - 50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453708098753
Reliability as a virtue
Audi, Robert. (2009). Reliability as a virtue. Philosophical Studies. 142, pp. 43 - 54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-008-9305-2
Belief, faith, and acceptance
Audi, Robert. (2008). Belief, faith, and acceptance. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. 63(1-3), pp. 87 - 102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11153-007-9137-6
The marketing of human images as a challenge to ethical leadership
Audi, Robert. (2008). The marketing of human images as a challenge to ethical leadership. In In G. Flynn (Ed.). Leadership and Business Ethics pp. 197 - 209 Springer Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8429-4_13
Some dimensions of trust in business practices: From financial and product representation to licensure and voting
Audi, Robert. (2008). Some dimensions of trust in business practices: From financial and product representation to licensure and voting. Journal of Business Ethics. 80(1), pp. 97 - 102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9435-z
Skepticism about the a priori justification: Self-evidence, defeasibiity, and cogito propositions
Audi, Robert. (2008). Skepticism about the a priori justification: Self-evidence, defeasibiity, and cogito propositions. In In J. Greco (Ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism pp. 149 - 175 Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195183214.003.0008
The ethics of belief: Doxastic self-control and intellectual virtue
Audi, Robert. (2008). The ethics of belief: Doxastic self-control and intellectual virtue. Synthese. 161, pp. 403 - 418. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164403251335
Rational disagreement as a challenge to practical ethics and moral theory: An essay in moral epistemology
Audi, Robert. (2008). Rational disagreement as a challenge to practical ethics and moral theory: An essay in moral epistemology. In In Q. Smith (Ed.). Epistemology: New Essays pp. 225 - 247 Oxford Scholarship Online. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199264933.003.0010
Intuition, inference, and rational disagreement in ethics
Audi, Robert. (2008). Intuition, inference, and rational disagreement in ethics. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice. 11(5), pp. 475 - 492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10677-008-9123-9
The good in the right: A theory of intuition and intrinsic value
Audi, Robert. (2004). The good in the right: A theory of intuition and intrinsic value Princeton University Press.