moralobjectivity.net  Website by Robert M. Ellis, based on an accredited Ph.D. thesis.

An argument for how moral objectivity is possible using the Middle Way

A philosophy that aims to clear the ground for practical progress

Eight central claims of Middle Way philosophy:

• Moral objectivity is an imperfect human quality. It does not require a perfect God's-eye view.

• We have no direct access to reality, but we can get closer to it by casting off illusions.

• The Middle Way provides a means of casting off the illusions of both positive metaphysics (e.g. appeals to God's revelation) and negative metaphysics (e.g. scientism).

• There are no short-cuts to moral objectivity, but it can be gradually cultivated.

• We do not have to either accept moral absolutes on faith or be relativists: there is an alternative.

• Moral objectivity can also explain the objectivity of science (not the other way round).

• The Middle Way can be used to solve many other problems of Western philosophy (e.g. the nature of mind, freewill vs determinism)

• The Middle Way can provide practical solutions to moral and political problems

Books on the Middle Way:

A Buddhist Theory of Moral Objectivity (Ph.D. thesis): prologue           contents page

A New Buddhist Ethics

The Trouble with Buddhism  - new - complete text now available online

Truth on the Edge (taster) new

Other Resources

The bare bones: 5 key arguments in the form of 3-line syllogisms (for philosophers in a hurry)

Common objections and responses

Key concepts in Middle Way philosophy (under construction)

Frequently asked questions about this website and its status

List of all e-books, papers and articles included on the website

Recommended books

The author: Robert M. Ellis

Comments? Visit the moralobjectivity.net discussion page or email re@moralobjectivity.net