Mad Meta

For philosophers only!

Yesterday at the 20th meeting of MadMeta, the Madison Metaethics Workshop.

Lyrics (bellow): Nomy Arpaly, Jamie Dreier and Patrick McKee

Vocals: Arpaly and Dreier

Guitar: Michael Smith

When we say “RSL” we mean Russ Shafer-Landau, who took the video.

With apologies to Tom Lehrer!

Lyrics:

When you long

To invent right and wrong

When you’re glad

To explore good and bad

But you’re through

Telling folks what to do

That’s metaethics!

Can you prove

Moral Judgements can move

Can you teach

How to solve Frege-Geach

Ever hissed

“Consequentialize this!”

That’s metaethics!

Are you mad or just bad if amoral from birth?

Doing right with delight: does it have moral worth?

And should you land on Twin Earth –

And there’s no supervenience –

Would that be an inconvenience?

When the youth

Say there’s no moral truth

Or demand

That you teach God’s commands

You’re in pain

But here we go again!

For sometimes, they say,

You just can’t get away from metaethics

Hyperplans!

Too much time on your hands

I’m in awe

If you’re willing the law

Please reflect:

Could it be you project?

That’s metaethics!

Is it whack

That beliefs are on track

RSL

Has that problem as well

He anoints

Them as fixed moral points

That’s metaethics

Well your view might be true but objections abound

You’re too quick with The Thick—are you fooling around?

Is there a natural ground?

Would you get indigestion if it is an open question?

Pass the buck,

Do desires just suck?

Reasons first!

Is the other way cursed?

Stop right here,

Are these properties queer?

Do I need to add there’s nothing as mad as metaethics?