Meta-ethics

Question 1

ethical naturalism summary

Answer 1

good is definable - through observing the natural world, it is a thing

Question 2

ethical naturalism - Bradley

Answer 2

must look at wider society to find good

Question 3

ethical naturalism - aquinas

Answer 3

o Aquinas links goodness to divine will and humans’ telos. These lead to a following of the 5 PPs, which are good

Question 4

ethical naturalism - foot summary

Answer 4

o Moral good can be observed in the form of virtues pursued by individuals
o Virtues and following of these virtues can be observed and therefore good can be observed

Question 5

general postives of ethical naturalism

Answer 5

• Believing moral claims are nothing but opinions means there are never any objective values or truths = anarchy. - - - Naturalism provides a basis for human rights.

Question 6

general negatives of ethical naturalism

Answer 6

• Nature can be misunderstood, could potentially justify evil things e.g. evidential problem of evil + Naturalistic fallacy
• If nature is fallen (Augustine), how can you advocate morality based on a nature that is inclined towards sin?

Question 7

ethical naturalism criticism - Moore

Answer 7

• G. E. Moore
  o Puts forward naturalistic fallacy due to his open question technique

Question 8

intuitionism - Moore

Answer 8

‘Good is Good, and that is the end of the matter.’

o Agrees with Hume’s fact-value gap, ( cannot move from a descriptive statement like to a moral statement)

Question 9

general positives of intuitionism

Answer 9

~~~
- Situational

• Allows for more control
• Morally realist, offers a sense of moral duty/motive.

Question 10

general negatives of intuitionism

Answer 10

• Relative, could lead to bad actions if conflicting principles
• Not practical in terms of deciding moral rules
• Intuitionism is based solely on introspection, subjective

Question 11

intuitionism - criticisms of Moore

Answer 11

o Moore claims we are able to recognise non-natural properties e.g. good but how are to know it is not a creation of our minds?

Question 12

what are the 2 non cognitive ethical strands

Answer 12

emotivism - ♣ Moral judgements are neither true or false, merely expressions of feelings of those who utter them (AYER)

prescriptivism - ♣ Ethical language is individuals’ attempt to get others to conform with their moral viewpoints, persuasive
(STEVENSON)

Question 13

emotivism - ayer

Answer 13

• Moral judgements are neither true or false, merely expressions of feelings
• Rejected intuitionism as intuitions are unverifiable and meaningless

Question 14

emotivism - boo hurrah

Answer 14

• Moral judgements are internal – based on feeling
• When you say something is good/bad you express your reaction to it: either boo (dislike) or hurrah (like and approval)
• in saying that an action is right or wrong, I am not making any factual statement, I am expressing moral sentiments. (Ayer)

Question 15

negatives of ethical non-cog (emotivism/presc) - general

Answer 15

• reduces morality too far, need some concept of good/bad in society
• Emotivism fails to recognise cultural relativity when it comes to morality

Question 16

quasi realism

Answer 16

morality is non cognitive (like emotivism), but that doesn’t make it meaningless - act as if its cognitive whilst also acknowledging that there isn’t an objective good