Normative, Applied And Metaethics

Question 1

Emotivism

Answer 1

Ethical sentences simply evince an emotion and have no factual justification. ‘Killing is wrong’ is logically equivalent to ‘Killing - Boo!’.

Question 2

Subjectivism

Answer 2

The view that all ethical judgements are simply statements of the speaker’s beliefs and are right because the speaker says they are, and for no other reason.

Question 3

Relativism

Answer 3

The view that rightness is culturally or religiously determined. Incompatible positions are justifiable because of their cultural roots.

Question 4

Divine command theory

Answer 4

The view that x is right because because God commands it, rather than believing God commands something because it is right.

Question 5

Natural Law Theory

Answer 5

Believes that moral rightness can be determined through careful reflection on the facts of the world. ‘Right reason in accordance with nature.’

Question 6

Normative Ethics

Answer 6

Theories of right and wrong. Includes Natural Law, Divine Command, Situation Ethics, Utilitarianism and Kantianism.

Question 7

Applied Ethics

Answer 7

Ethics applied to a specific situation. Applied to Environmental, Business, Sex, War, Medical, Punishment, Scientific.

Question 8

Metaethics

Answer 8

Study of ethical language. E.g ‘what does good mean’

Question 9

Existentialism

Answer 9

A philosophical movement that believes the universe just exists and has no meaning in itself. Any meaning it has is meaning an individual gives to it.

Question 10

Vulgar relativism

Answer 10

Holds that all beliefs are relative, all should be tolerated. A contradiction.

Question 11

Deontic Ethics

Answer 11

Emphasises the actions we should strive towards.

Question 12

Aretaic Ethics

Answer 12

(Virtue ethics) emphasises the type of person we should strive to be.

Question 13

Teleological theories

Answer 13

Often called consequentialist. They determine what is good by outcomes: x is seen as good because it leads to good results.

Question 14

Deontological theories

Answer 14

theories about principles, rules, actions etc.

Question 15

Utilitarianism

Answer 15

We should always seek the greatest balance of good over evil.

Question 16

Egoism

Answer 16

(Not egotism, which is not a moral theory but simply refers to complete selfishness) Supposes that we should always act with our own best interests at heart. It argues that if everyone did this, we would all achieve the best results. Used in many economic theories such as free market.

Question 17

Situation Ethics

Answer 17

Argues that in each situation we should do that which will produce the most loving outcome. This approach is sceptical about rules, arguing that always following rules can lead to cruel and unloving consequences.

Question 18

Kantian Ethics

Answer 18

Emphasises the primacy of doing one’s duty regardless of consequences.

Question 19

Agapism

Answer 19

Stresses love, it holds that we should just love: ‘love is all you need’. An impractical theory that is hindered by lacking a specific theory of justice.

Question 20

Absolutism

Answer 20

All ethics should be based on a fixed moral compass.