Moral disagreement section Flashcards
What does emotivism claim about ethical language?
Ethical language merely expresses emotion.
Emotivism suggests that ethical statements do not convey factual information but instead reflect the speaker’s feelings.
What is G E Moore’s criticism of non-cognitivism?
Ethical language involves features that require more than emotion, such as moral reasoning and disagreement.
Moore argues that since ethical discussions involve claims about reality, they cannot be reduced to mere emotional expressions.
What is the first premise (P1) in Moore’s argument against emotivism?
Emotions cannot disagree.
This premise highlights that emotional expressions do not entail belief claims that can be contradicted.
What is the second premise (P2) in Moore’s argument against emotivism?
Ethical language involves disagreement.
This premise indicates that ethical discussions often reflect conflicting beliefs about moral truths.
What conclusion (C1) does Moore draw from his premises about ethical language?
Ethical language cannot reduce to the expression of emotion.
This conclusion challenges the validity of emotivism as a complete explanation of ethical discourse.
Who proposed a version of non-cognitivism that is stronger than Ayer’s?
R. M. Hare.
Hare’s approach includes the notion that ethical language expresses prescriptions in addition to emotions.
What does Hare mean by saying ‘stealing is wrong’?
‘Don’t steal.’
Hare interprets ethical statements as universal commands rather than factual claims.
How does Hare’s non-cognitivism address persuasion and disagreement?
Ethical language reduces to universal prescriptions, allowing for reasoning, disagreement, and persuasion.
This framework enables discussions about ethical commands rather than merely emotional responses.
What example does Hare use to illustrate his point about ethical prescriptions?
A Nazi who would not want to be killed if they discovered they were Jewish.
This example shows how ethical reasoning can challenge irrational beliefs about universal prescriptions.
What is Mackie’s main argument against non-cognitivism?
People have beliefs about ethics, not just feelings.
Mackie argues that ethical discussions often involve a quest for truth about right and wrong, indicating cognitive engagement.
What analogy does Mackie use to explain ethical language?
Children talking about Santa.
Just as children express beliefs about Santa despite its non-existence, people express beliefs about ethics that may also be false.
What conclusion does Mackie reach about ethical language?
Ethical language expresses cognitive beliefs which are all false.
Mackie’s anti-realism posits that while we discuss ethics as if it reflects reality, it does not.
