Meta-Ethical theories Flashcards
What do you need to know about Meta-Ethical Theories
Naturalism
Intuitionism
Emotivism
What is Naturalism
Moral values can be correctly defined by observation of the natural world
it is a moral realist theory and is also cognitivist
What is Moral realism
Right and wrong actually exist; they are real properties
What is Cognitivism
Moral statements are subject to being either true or false
Who believes in Ethical naturalism
The idea that moral values can be known empirically - it is linked to absolutism
Aquinas, Natural law, we just need to be rational
Bentham, Utilitarian, We know what is good or bad if it leads to pleasure or pain
What is an objection to naturalism
David Hume’s ‘is-ought’;
man is dead
girl is crying
murder is??? bad?
murder ought to be bad*
What is Intuitionism
Moral truths cannot be defined but are self evident through our intuition
Who is a intuitionist and what does he argue
G.E Moore, argues that we cannot know what’s ‘good’ through empirical facts, but through intuition
He uses the analogy of the colour yellow and the horse, yellow is like good, simple but hard to explain. Horse is easier to explain because it is complex.
What are pros and cons of Intuitionism
+ Takes Hume’s ‘is ought’ seriously
+ Defends the existence of moral facts
.- People can have different opinions and therefore intuitions
.- Cannot be analysed empirically - Similar to Plato
What is Emotivism
Argues that moral statements are not facts, but just emotional states
Who argues for emotivism and why
AJ Ayer, agrees with the Vienna circle and the verification principle, he argues that as moral statements aren’t logical and aren’t provable, which makes them meaningless
Making all moral statements just opinion with no power
