Non-cognitivism - Prescriptivism

Question 1

What is prescriptivism

Answer 1

Moral judgements express (non-cognitive) instructions that aim to guide behaviour.

If someone says (Murder=wrong) they mean (Dont murder people)

When you instruct someone to do something you are not expressing a belief that is capable of being true/false.

Prescriptivism = Non-cognitivist

Question 2

The language or morals - Hare

Answer 2

Agrees with emotivism - moral judgements express non-cognitive attitudes
(Not the main point of moral judgements)
(Should be guiding conduct)

(Stealing is wrong) = The imperative (don’t steal)

Terms like good/bad/wrong should not just be to describe but to criticise/praise

Question 3

The language of morals - Hare - Strawberry example

Answer 3

‘A good strawberry’
A purely descriptive analysis of ‘good strawberry’ might reduce its meaning to (sweet/juicy).

Description is not the only thing i mean when i say this is a good strawberry.

Example - I might say this is a good strawberry because it is sweet/juicy

(Not make sense)

(On a Purely descriptive analysis) it would be the same as saying this is a sweet/juicy strawberry because it is sweet/juicy

Therefore - Good strawberry does not just describe but it also praises the strawberry.

Question 4

However

Answer 4

In order to praise/criticise something we must assume a certain set of standards.
(The standards against the strawberry were sweet/juicy)
However - These standards are not objective and there are no facts that can determine one set of standards as correct/incorrect.

Question 5

Linking to Moral value judgements

Answer 5

P1-When i say she is a good person
P2- i am assuming a certain set of moral standards and praising that person on those standards.
P3-This praising is the primary meaning of good
P4-It provides imperative guidance on how others should act.