Reasons Against Naturalizing Epistemic Reasons: Normativity, Objectivity, Non-computability

Abstract

I argue that there are three reasons which speak against the possibility of naturalizing epistemic reasons. In order to make these arguments clear-cut, I clarify first the concept of naturalism (121.1). Then (11.2) I discuss the relation of practical and epistemic reasons and come to the conclusion that all reasons can be transformed into epistemic ones. The first argument against the possibility of naturalizing reasons is the (logical) fact that epistemic reasons are normative that they imply ought sentences (11.3). The second argument against the possibility of naturalizing reasons is the (logical) fact that epistemic reasons are objective, that they cannot be identified with mental states or processes (11.4). The third argument against the possibility of naturalizing reasons is the (logical) fact that at least some epistemic reasons are non-computable, that they cannot be presented in the form of an algorithm (11.5).