What is Science?

Methodology in morals is much more complicated that it seems - a strict 'scientific' approach obtains in moral discourse, just as it obtains in other pursuits. Obvioulsy, the term 'scientific' demands some attention: according to Aristotle, science is 'causal knowledge,' that is, certain knowledge through causes. Aristotle lays out the mode of procedure according to scientific investigation in both the Prior and Posterior Analytics. Whereas the Prior Analytics mainly concentrates on the 'form' of propositions necessary within the syllogism, the Posterior, on the other hand, concentrates on the 'matter.'

Mode of Procedure in Moral Science

How to confront Hume's charge that there cannot be objectivity in morals? In order to understand this charge, we need to consider the distinction, according to Hume, between an 'is' and an 'ought.' In other words, we are asking what is the mode of procedure one can hope to attain in moral discourse that might satisfy a scepticism with regard to ethics? Can we proceed in a scientific manner with regard to ethics, or shall we regard ethics as merely a matter of convention, of hopefulness, and as empty ideal?