If someone says "I like coffee," he does not need to have a reason - he is merely stating a fact about himself, and nothing more. There is no such thing as "rationally defending" one's like or dislike of coffee, and so there is no argument about it. So long as he is accurately reporting his tastes, what he says must be true . . . On the other hand, if someone says that something is morally wrong, he does need reasons, and if his reasons are sound, other people must acknowledge their force. By the same logic, if he has no good reasons for what he says, he is just making noises and we need pay him no attention. (p.27, Moral Minds by Marc D. Hauser) |