Chapter 3

Question 1

According to Rachels ethical subjectivism is the idea that

Answer 1

our moral opinions are based on our feelings and nothing more.

Question 2

According to ethical subjectivism is the idea that

Answer 2

there is no such thing as objective right and wrong.

Question 3

According to ethical subjectivism when we say that actions are evil

Answer 3

we are only saying that we have negative feelings about them.

Question 4

Ethical subjectivism begins with the idea of David Hume that

Answer 4

morality is a matter of sentiment rather than fact.

Question 5

The simplest version of simple subjectivism is, when a person says something is morally bad

Answer 5

this means that he or she disapproves of it.

Question 6

“X is morally acceptable means:

Answer 6

I (the speaker) approve of X.

Question 7

“X is morally unacceptable means:

Answer 7

I (the speaker) disapprove of X.

Question 8

Simple subjectivism

Answer 8

cannot account for disagreement.

Question 9

When someone uses simple subjectivism to make a moral assessment

Answer 9

they are really making an assessment about their own attitudes.

Question 10

If simple subjectivism is correct

Answer 10

we are always right about our attitudes.

Question 11

With simple subjectivism so long as someone is honestly representing their feelings

Answer 11

their moral judgments are always correct.

Question 12

One difficulty with the implication of simple subjectivism that we are always right about our attitudes is that

Answer 12

we are sometimes wrong in our moral evaluations.

Question 13

If language is used to state facts

Answer 13

statements are either true or false.

Question 14

According to simple subjectivism moral language is about

Answer 14

stating facts about a speakers attitudes.

Question 15

According to Emotivism

Answer 15

1) moral language is not fact stating language.

2) It is a means to influence people’s attitudes.

Question 16

According to Emotivism if someone says to you “Don’t do that!”

Answer 16

that person is trying to persuade you not to do it.

Question 17

For emotivism our moral judgments cannot be criticized because

Answer 17

1. they are not judgments at all.

2. they are an expression of the speakers attitudes.

Question 18

For Stevenson moral disagreements are

Answer 18

are disagreements in attitudes.

Question 19

For Stevenson moral disagreements are

Answer 19

are disagreements in attitudes.

Question 20

According to Rachel’s Emotivism

Answer 20

does not interpret moral judgments as statements that are always true or false.

Question 21

According to Rachel’s Emotivism

Answer 21

cannot explain the role that reason plays in ethics.

Question 22

An adequate theory of ethics

Answer 22

should be able to explain how reasons can support moral judgments.

Question 23

Insofar as moral judgments are mere expressions of attitude

Answer 23

they are like personal preferences.

Question 24

Because emotivism is a flawed ethical theory

Answer 24

it casts doubt on all of ethical subjectivism

Question 25

Why do people believe that moral judgments are unprovable?

Answer 25

When proof is demanded people often want scientific proof and ethics does not work in this way.

Question 26

Why do people believe that moral judgments are unprovable?

Answer 26

Because 2 matters are run together, proving an opinion to be true and persuading someone to accept your proof.

Question 27

According to Rachel’s moral thinking and moral conduct

Answer 27

are a matter of weighing reasons and being guided by them.

Question 28

According to Rachel’s when we have strong feelings

Answer 28

we are tempted to ignore reason and go with feelings.