Meta-ethics 101

Question 1

What is Meta-ethics primarily concerned with?

Answer 1

Examining the nature and foundations of moral values and ethical principles

Question 2

Moral realism

Answer 2

Asserts that moral properties (goodness, badness) exist independently of human opinion. It claims they are objective moral facts similar to scientific facts

Question 3

Moral anti realism

Answer 3

Denies the existence of objective moral properties. It suggests that moral claims are either expressions of personal feelings or societal norms

Question 4

Example of moral realism and anti-moral realism

Answer 4

If moral realism were true, the statement “Murder is wrong” would be an objective fact.

If anti-realism were true, it would merely express a personal feelings or societal agreement against murder

Question 5

What are cognitivism and non-cognitivism

Answer 5

Two perspectives on the nature of ethical language

Question 6

Cognitivism

Answer 6

Holds that ethical language expresses bel;ifs about reality and can be true of false.

For example ‘Murder is wrong’ is a factual statement

Question 7

Non-Cognitivism

Answer 7

Claims ethical language expresses non-cognitive states such as emotions or commands, and cannot be true or false.

The statement ‘murder is wrong’ would express disapproval