Problems for non-Cognitivism

Question 1

Moral argument and reasoning

Answer 1

Non-cognitivism is against how we typically use (moral judgements) as we often use moral judgements as part of (moral reasoning).

Question 2

Example - Murder is wrong

Answer 2

1. If murder is wrong Paying to have someone murdered is also wrong.
2. Murder is wrong
3. Therefore paying someone to murder is in fact wrong.

Valid - The conclusion seems to follow logically from the premises
However - It is not valid as the meaning of ‘murder is wrong’ changes between the first and second premise.

Question 3

Explain further

Answer 3

In P2 - Murder is wrong - is by itself
According to non-cognitivsm it means boo! murder

In P1- Murder is wrong presented differently
Presented as something that if true implies something else.
(If murder is wrong= true - paying people to murder is wrong)

However - According to non-cognitivism murder is wrong cannot be true or false as it is a non-cognitivist statement.

Question 4

What is the problem then?

Answer 4

People regularly embed moral judgements in statements like - if murder is wrong then,,,

If non-cognitivism is correct would not make sense for people to do this.

People would not embed moral judgements/make arguments involving moral judgements.
(If moral judgements were incapable of being true/false)

People do do this so non-cognitivism must fail