Key terms

Question 1

What is the debate of metaethics ?

Answer 1

Whether mind-independent moral properties exist or not

Mind-independent - independent of our minds - table example - still exist when we leave the room - moral properties still exist even if we are not thinking about it so it is a moral fact.

Question 2

Moral realism

Answer 2

There are mind-independent moral properties/facts
Murder = wrong = a moral fact
The act of murder has the mind-independent moral property of Wrongness.

Question 3

Moral anti-realism

Answer 3

Mind-independent moral properties and facts do not exist

Question 4

Cognitivism

Answer 4

Moral judgements (murder is wrong) express cognitive mental states.
Beliefs aim to describe reality - Both true/false

Murder is wrong = it is true that murder is wrong

Question 5

Non-cognitivism

Answer 5

Moral judgements (murder is wrong) not not express cognitive mental states.
Do not aim to describe reality - not able to be true/false

Murder is wrong = don’t murder people/ boo murder

Question 6

Difference between realism/anti realism and cognitivism/non-cognitivism

Answer 6

Realism/Anti-realism = whether or not mind-independent moral properties exist.

Cognitivism/non-cognitivism = what people mean when they make moral judgements