The Is Ought Problem Explained

The Is Ought Problem Explained. AKA Hume's law AKA Hume's guillotine. AKA Hume's Razor AKA Hume's Logic Razor

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The is–ought problem, as articulated by the Scottish philosopher and historian David Hume, states that many writers make claims about what ought to be, based on statements about what is. Hume found that there seems to be a significant difference between positive statements (about what is) and prescriptive or normative statements (about what ought to be), and that it is not obvious how one can coherently move from descriptive statements to prescriptive ones. The is–ought problem is also known as Hume's law or Hume's guillotine.

A similar view is defended by G. E. Moore's open-question argument, intended to refute any identification of moral properties with natural properties. This so-called naturalistic fallacy stands in contrast to the views of ethical naturalists.

The is–ought problem is closely related to the fact–value distinction in epistemology. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, academic discourse concerning the latter may encompass aesthetics in addition to ethics.

philosophy moral

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[carowolff]

Thank you so much! I finally get Hume's law

[transcendentphilosophy]

Good job highlighting how oughts are connected to goals and values.

[leviathoncannon]

It would seem to me wishes and desires go with oughts. "You ought" sounds like a statement for a certain kind of desire, that is, to see a world that follows your values

[eklektikTubb]

If it is true that "ought" cannot come from an "is", then what that "ought" can come from? And, furthemore, what can "cannot" come from? 🤔🤔🤔

[luvergirlc]

How do you define what an “ought” is and what an “is” is?

[danskiver]

Because of the is/ought problem we are stuck with a ruling class writing a social script that dictates much of our activities.
Christianity best address the is/ought problem through Jesus with a tripartite understanding of everything. His kingdom/logos for us is a three dimensional space (logistics, harmonious, and things) from which words are coordinates. Language comes about when we are trying to solve what I call the Jesus puzzle.

[garyskinner]

There IS death from starvation so we OUGHT to feed people to stop this suffering why is this a problem in philosophy i completely don't get this?