On good without prejudice. An essay with reference to ethics of beliefs

Abstract

The main subject of the article is a question of non-cognitive value of moral beliefs. Author analyses an example of the defence of the hopeful moral belief (called “the principle of returning good”) presented by a student during the courses of ethics, and shows the problem of value of this belief in the light of philosophical statements of William K. Clifford and William James. Finally, the author supports the view of the latter and argues that there are beliefs that cannot be empirically verified, but at the same time they answer urgent moral questions that cannot be postponed because of their existential and moral importance. Although the student was not able to prove that “the principle of returning good” governs our moral life, she has a right to hold that belief.