Meta Ethics

Question 1

Meaning of meta

Answer 1

Greek for above or beyond

Question 2

Absolutism

Answer 2

View That there is an objective standard of right and wrong. Things are good or bad in themselves not dictated by our opinions.

Question 3

Analytic

Answer 3

Statement that is true by definition

Question 4

Boo hurrah theory

Answer 4

A.J.Ayers version of emotions that states moral statements are no more meaningful than saying boo or hurrah

Question 5

Cognitivism

Answer 5

Ethical theory that states there are absolute morals independent of human opinions

Question 6

Emotivism

Answer 6

Form of non-cognitivism that reduces ethical statements to expression of personal beliefs

Question 7

Ethical naturalism

Answer 7

Form of cognitivism that claims moral statements can be empirically verified and no different from moral statements

Question 8

Eudaimonia

Answer 8

Ultimate good for humanity according to thomas aquinas. Ultimate happiness

Question 9

Euthyphro dilemma

Answer 9

Socrates and euthyphro debate whether morality is simply what God commands or adheres to morality

Question 10

Fundamental beliefs

Answer 10

Shows ethical statements are relative but not simply emotional responses. Based on fundamental beliefs

Question 11

Golden rule

Answer 11

Rule given by jesus in the story of the good samaritan to love your neighbour as yourself

Question 12

Hedonic naturalism

Answer 12

Type of ethical naturalism that equates good with pleasure or happiness

Question 13

Humes law

Answer 13

Argues that you cannot go from an is (observation) to an ought (moral imperative)

Question 14

Intuitionism

Answer 14

Form of cognitivism that claims that good cannot be defined or empirically tested but recognised through intuition

Question 15

Logical positivism

Answer 15

Movement founded by Vienna circle that co riders statements to be meaningful only if they’re analytic

Question 16

Meta ethics

Answer 16

Type of ethics that analyse the meaning and nature of moral terms such as good

Question 17

Moral scepticism

Answer 17

Ethical theory that states that no one can have moral knowledge

Question 18

Normative ethics

Answer 18

Attempts to discover if actions are good or bad

Question 19

Naturalistic fallacy

Answer 19

Term used by G.E.Moore to explain error of ethical naturalism in reducing morality to non moral concepts

Question 20

Non cognitivism

Answer 20

Ethical theory that states that there are no absolute morals completely subjective and dependent on human belief

Question 21

Open question argument

Answer 21

Used by G.E.Moore to demonstrate error of hedonic naturalism in reducing morality to pleasure

Question 22

Prescriptivism

Answer 22

Form of non-cognitivism says ethical statements have both a descriptive and prescriptive element whilst still being relative to person

Question 23

Prima facie duties

Answer 23

Duties at first sight

Question 24

Relativism

Answer 24

View That their is no objective standard of right and wrong dictated by opinions

Question 25

Synthetic

Answer 25

Statement not true by definition must be tested through observation

Question 26

Telos

Answer 26

Purpose

Question 27

Theological naturalism

Answer 27

Type of ethical naturalism that equates good with God's will

Question 28

Universalisation

Answer 28

Process of universalising something. Applicable to all people

Question 29

Vienna circle

Answer 29

Group of philosophers who gathered in Vienna in 19922. Responsible for the logical positivism movement

Question 30

F.H.Braley (ethical naturalism)

Answer 30

Can discover ethical truth through observation Ethical statements no different to non ethical ones You can empirically verify

Question 31

Similar to aquinas

Answer 31

Goodness linked to divine will Anything that helps us achieve our telos is good Anything that takes us away from eudaimonia is bad

Question 32

Theological naturalism

Answer 32

Good = Goss command Aquinas Euthyphro dilemma

Question 33

Hedonic naturalism

Answer 33

Good = pleasure Utilitarianism Naturalistic fallacy

Question 34

Philippa foot

Answer 34

Shares aristotles emphasis on telos Anything I'll suited to this is seen as natural defect Anything suited to this is virtuous When we call a person good we are referring to a virtue they possess Con observe morality through observing virtues

Question 35

David Hume (intuitionism)

Answer 35

Emotivism- morals not fact come from feelings

Question 36

Humes fork - two types of knowledge

Answer 36

Relations of ideas - true by definition Matters of fact - proven by experience Moral statements are neither of these

Question 37

Is ought fallacy

Answer 37

People often assume moral rule from a fact without proving it Morality derived from social norms

Question 38

J.L.Mackie

Answer 38

Moral scepticism - doubts moral values exist as objective truths Against absolutism - morals exist but not absolute Morals relative

Question 39

A.J.Ayer

Answer 39

Moral statements are just expression of emotions

Question 40

R.M.Hare

Answer 40

Moral statements function as commands

Question 41

Absolute

Answer 41

Moral truths are unchanging and universal

Question 42

Objective

Answer 42

Moral truths exist independently of human opinion

Question 43

Relative

Answer 43

Moral truths vary depending on culture or individual perspective

Question 44

Subjective

Answer 44

Moral truths depend on personal beliefs or attitudes

Question 45

A.J.Ayer (emotivism)

Answer 45

Moral statements meaningless Boo hurrah theory No moral facts just expression of emotions Accepted humes law that morality is just a sentiment

Question 46

C.L.Stevenson

Answer 46

Agreed with emotivism but disagreed with conclusion Moral statements aim to persuade We use persuasive language