Meta Ethics

Question 1

Normative ethics

Answer 1

Also known as prescriptive ethics as it prescribes a course of action.

Question 2

Objectivism

Answer 2

There is an absolute moral truth

Question 3

Subjectivism

Answer 3

The truth is in the mind of the observer

Question 4

Cognitivism

Answer 4

All ethical statements are true and meaningful

Question 5

Non cognitivism

Answer 5

Ethical statements are just an expression of emotion

Question 6

Ethical naturalism

Answer 6

All ethical statements can be scientifically proven e.g. Aquinas and Aristotle

Question 7

Naturalistic fallacy AO2

Answer 7

Can’t jump from an is to an ought

Question 8

Intuitionism

Answer 8

You can’t describe it but you know it when you see it e.g. Yellow
G.E Moore

Question 9

Prima Facie duties

Answer 9

W.D Ross 7 duties it’s out duty to carry out certain actions. It’s self evident

Question 10

4 problems with intuitionism

Answer 10

Can’t base decisions on a hunch
Societies differ
It’s vague
Cultural relativism is a better explanation

Question 11

Logical positivism

Answer 11

Developed by the Vienna circle

Ayer based his ideas on it

Question 12

Emotivism

Answer 12

Ayer - ethical statements are just an expression of emotion e.g. Fox hunting

Question 13

Rachel’s criticism of emotivism

AO2

Answer 13

Ethical statements appeal to reason and are often grounded in evidence

Question 14

Descriptive and dynamic meaning

Answer 14

C.L Stevenson - all ethical statements have two meanings

There is meaning behind it - you want people to act on it

Question 15

Hare’s golden rule

Answer 15

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Question 16

Prescriptivism

Answer 16

Prescribed what should be done

Question 17

What is a strength of cognitivism?

Answer 17

It takes the existence of moral absolutes seriously which is good as morality is too important to just be a personal opinion.

Question 18

What is a problem with cognitivists

Answer 18

Non cognitivists point out the difference between fact and opinion e.g. Capital of England and abortion is wrong- it can’t be empirically tested. Morality for non cognitivists is it simply is a matter of personal choice that society forms into rules which reflect the opinions of the majority
Truths don’t exist and morality can change everyday so the strongest argument we have for enforcing change is that ‘over here we don’t like what you’re doing’