Meta Ethics

Question 1

Meaning of Meta?

Answer 1

Greek term meaning above and beyond

Question 2

Which positions in Meta Ethics support the meaningful position and which support meaningless position?

Answer 2

Meaningful-Naturalism & Intuitionism
Meaningless-Emotivism

Question 3

What is a Realist philosopher?

Answer 3

Claim that moral truths (good, bad, right & wrong) exist

Question 4

What is an Anti-Realist philosopher?

Answer 4

Claim that moral truths (good, bad, right & wrong) do not exist

Question 5

Cognitivists?

Answer 5

Claim that moral statements can either be true or false
-Fact

Question 6

Non-Cognitivists?

Answer 6

Claim that moral statements simply express our feelings
-Opinion

Question 7

What type of theory is Naturalism?

Answer 7

Realist & cognitive
-Claim that moral truths are discovered empirically through observation & reason

Question 8

What type of theory is Intuitionism?

Answer 8

Realist & cognitive
-Claim that moral truths are known by intuition, they are indefinable but self-evident

Question 9

What type of theory is Emotivism?

Answer 9

Anti-realist & Non-cognitive
-Claim that moral truths do not actually exist thus, there is no knowledge in ethical statements

Question 10

What are the 3 versions of Naturalism?

Answer 10

Aquinas’ Theological Naturalism-States that we discover moral truths through observation of God given natural purpose of the universe

Bentham & Mill’s Hedonic Naturalism- States that we discover moral truths through observation of what brings about greater pleasure over pain

F.H. Bradley’s Naturalism- States that we discover moral truths through observation of ones position in society
e.g. Observation of social status & norms

Question 11

Main challenges to Naturalism?

Answer 11

G.E. Moore’s Naturalistic Fallacy-

G.E. Moore’s Open Q Argument-

Hume’s Fact/Value Distinction also known as the Is/ought problem-