Moral Realism and the Existence of God

Improving Parfit's Metaethics

By (author) M. Jakobsen

Book cover: Moral Realism and the Existence of God

Extent: 262 pages

Publisher: Peeters Publishers

Subjects: Philosophy, Religious Studies

Series: Studies in Philosophical Theology

Series volume number: 67

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(April 2020)

ISBN: 9789042942141

Price: $85.00

In stock

eBook (Published)

(April 2020)

ISBN: 9789042942158

Price: $107.00

Can there be an objective morality without God? Derek Parfit argues that it can and offers a theory of morality that is neither theistic nor naturalistic. This book provides a critical assessment of Parfit’s metaethical theory. Jakobsen identifies some problems in Parfit’s theory – problems concerning moral normativity, the ontological status of morality, and evolutionary influence on our moral beliefs – and argues that theological resources can help solve them. By showing how Parfit’s theory may be improved by the help of theology, Jakobsen demonstrates the relevance of theology in philosophical and metaethical debates and argues that Christian theism offers a better explanation of morality than what Parfit’s non-naturalism does.


Can there be an objective morality without God? Derek Parfit argues that it can and offers a theory of morality that is neither theistic nor naturalistic. This book provides a critical assessment of Parfit’s metaethical theory. Jakobsen identifies some problems in Parfit’s theory – problems concerning moral normativity, the ontological status of morality, and evolutionary influence on our moral beliefs – and argues that theological resources can help solve them. By showing how Parfit’s theory may be improved by the help of theology, Jakobsen demonstrates the relevance of theology in philosophical and metaethical debates and argues that Christian theism offers a better explanation of morality than what Parfit’s non-naturalism does.

  • By (author) M. Jakobsen