Meta-ethics Cog and Non-cog basics

Question 1

What type of approach is moral realism

Answer 1

Cognitivist approach

Question 2

What is a cognitivist approach

Answer 2

Cognitivists believe moral facts are objective (moral truths) and ethical language expresses beliefs - these things are true or false. The truths are capable of being discovered through reason and rationailty.

Question 3

What does A posteriori mean (part of the cognitivist moral naturalism approach)

Answer 3

Gain through sense experience or investigation (empirical)

Question 4

What does A priori mean (part of the cognitivist non naturalism approach)

Answer 4

known by intuition (intuitionism) eg a maths problem is based on intuition and mental construction

Question 5

What type of approach is moral anti-realism

Answer 5

Non-cognitivist approach

Question 6

What is a non-cognitivist approach

Answer 6

Reject the idea of moral truth. Moral facts are subjective and ethical language does not express beliefs but rather mental states-emotions and there are no moral truths or facts and so cannot be true of false and morality derives from emotions or attitudes, not facts.

Question 7

What theories support cognitivism

Answer 7

Error theory, moral naturalism, moral non-naturalism

Question 8

Which theories support non-cognitivism

Answer 8

Emotivism and prescriptivism

Question 9

What is intuitionism

Answer 9

ability to develop our own judgements .Some of our moral judgements are subjective yet self evident.

Question 10

What are the two approaches in cognitivism that moral naturalism splits into

Answer 10

Reductive and non-reductive

Question 11

What is reductionism in moral naturalism and what normative ethical approach supports it

Answer 11

It reduces moral properties to their simplest form eg utilitarianism reduces moral properties. So happiness=goodness

Question 12

What is non-reductionism in moral naturalism and what normative ethical approach supports it

Answer 12

Looks at all characteristics of being human and puts them into place. It does not simply reduce them. An example would be Aristotle as he looks as all elements eg vices and means, eudaimonia etc and does not reduce them.

Question 13

What is emotivism (non-cognitivist)

Answer 13

(Resource 4) emotions and attitudes dis/approve things.

Boo/hurrah objection.

Question 14

what is prescriptivism (non-cognitivist)

Answer 14

(Resource 5) There are two types of prescription 1.imperatives/commands 2.value judgements eg saying it’s good is commending something

Question 15

what is an objection to moral realism

Answer 15

The naturalistic fallacy G.E Moore