Ethical Norms and Collective Beliefs—The “Factivity” and “Normativity” of Ethical Norms from the Perspective of Institutional Facts

The relationship between ethical norms and beliefs is different from that between brute facts and beliefs, which has its roots in the ontological characteristics of ethical norms as institutional facts. Searle's theory of institutional facts and Tuomela's of collective acceptance have showed us there are some essential relations between ethical norms and collective beliefs, and collective beliefs are the constructive factors of ethical norms. Therefore, the"factivity"and the"normativity"of ethical norms are based on collective beliefs, which thus are all characterized by"intersubjectivity". This theoretical theme can be significant for the research and thinking about the issues pertaining to the foundations and modern conditions of ethical norms.