Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong - Classic Text | Alexandria
Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, a seminal work of metaethics stands as a bold declaration: morality is not discovered, but constructed. Published in 1977 by Australian philosopher John Leslie Mackie, the book challenges deeply ingrained intuitions about objective moral values, proposing instead that our ethical beliefs are based on a fundamental error. Often misunderstood as promoting nihilism, or the outright rejection of morality, Mackie's project is far more nuanced, prompting readers to confront the subjective foundations upon which we build our ethical systems.
Mackie's radical thesis didn’t emerge from a vacuum. While the specific phrasing solidified in the late 20th century, the seeds of moral skepticism can be traced back to philosophical giants like David Hume in the 18th century and even earlier, to the ancient Greek skeptics. Hume, in his Treatise of Human Nature (1739-1740), questioned the possibility of deriving "ought" statements from "is" statements, a precursor to Mackie's argument from queerness. The intellectual climate of the 1970s, marked by increasing secularization and a growing awareness of cultural relativism, provided a fertile ground for Mackie's provocative ideas. One might even speculate on the influence of the political turbulence of the era – the Vietnam War protests, the civil rights movement – in fostering a critical examination of established norms and values.
Over time, Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong has become a cornerstone of metaethical debate. Its central arguments – the argument from relativity, highlighting the vast differences in moral codes across cultures, and the argument from queerness, questioning the metaphysical oddity of objective moral properties – have been dissected, debated, and refined by countless philosophers. The book ignited a firestorm of responses, with critics challenging Mackie's assumptions about objectivity and his understanding of moral language. Yet, even his detractors have acknowledged the profound impact of his work in forcing a re-evaluation of the foundations of ethics. The ongoing discussion reflects a deeper unease about the source of our moral authority.
Despite its controversial nature, Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong continues to resonate in the 21st century. In an age of polarized opinions and moral relativism, the book provides a framework for understanding how ethical disagreements arise and why they are so resistant to resolution. Its challenge to conventional morality has found new life in contemporary debates about issues ranging from social justice to artificial intelligence ethics. Is morality, then, a comforting fiction, a necessary illusion, or something else entirely? Mackie’s work compels us to grapple with this question and to confront the implications of our answer.