The Moral Philosophy of Mohaghegh Isfahani, Cognitivism or Non-cognitivism

Abstract

One of the issues in moral epistemology is cognitivism and non-cognitivism. Most researchers interpret Isfahani’s thesis as a non-cognitivism. In this paper we aim to explain the terms in the thesis and vindicate moral cognitivism. Isfahani means by “the theoretical certainties” “self-evident” and by “generally accepted propositions in broad sense” “non-essential generally accepted propositions” and considers moral propositions as theoretical. He maintains that moral propositions such as “justice is good”, “oppression is bad” are decisive judgment and aren’t surmise. He tells us how to know and determine moral propositions; therefore he is cognitivist.