Chapter 10 Summary

Stevenson points out that ethical arguments usually involve disagreement in both belief and attitude. Disagreements in attitude predominate in that they (i) determine what disputed beliefs are relevant in a given ethical conflict and (ii) determine, by their persistence or resolution, whether or not the ethical conflict has been settled. The methods of science can normally be used to settle disagreements in belief, and this can help resolve disagreements in attitude. Nevertheless, perfect agreement over facts may still leave attitudinal conflicts—hence ethical disputes—unresolved.