torekp comments on A Defense of Naive Metaethics - Less Wrong

8 Post author: Will_Sawin 09 June 2011 05:46PM

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Comment author: torekp 16 June 2011 01:25:53AM 0 points [-]

I doubt that metaethics can wholly capture the meaning of ethical terms, but I don't see that as a problem. It can still shed light on issues of epistemics, ontology, semantics, etc. And if you want help from an AI, any reduction that gets the reference correct will do, regardless of whether meaning is captured. A reduction need not be a full-blown normative ethical theory. It just needs to imply one, when combined with other truths.

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 17 June 2011 12:03:59AM 0 points [-]

I doubt that metaethics can wholly capture the meaning of ethical terms, but I don't see that as a problem.

This is not a problem in the same sense as astronomical waste that will occur during the rest of this year is not a problem: it's not possible to do something about it.