Meta-Ethics

?
View mindmap
  • Meta-Ethics
    • The Study of what we mean when we use good / bad and right / wrong (Ethical Terms)
    • Non-Cognitive
      • Good / Bad are non verifiable terms
    • Cognitive
      • Good / Bad are verifiable terms
      • Intuitionism
        • We just know
          • Good is like yellow because you know what it is but cant define it
        • Moore> Simple + Complex, cannot be broken down. 'Good is good and that is the end of the matter'.
        • W.D Ross > Prima Facie Duties > Intuitive duties we just know; Non- Malevolence, Justice
        • Strength
          • We do seem to have intuition
          • Good is indefinable
          • Plato > World of Forms
        • Weakness
          • Intuitions Clash
          • Whats 'right'?
          • Cant really debate
      • Naturalism
        • Bradley > Good and bad are verifiable by evidence / sense experiences
        • Example > Abortion is bad > Evidence, killing causes pain, fetus can feel pain.
        • Strength
          • Empirical evidence
          • Most people agree
          • Gives basis for fighting injustice
          • Cultural relativism
        • Weakness
          • Hume > Is thought gap, you cannot get a value from a fact
            • G.E Moore > Naturalistic Fallacy > Incorrect to equate good / bad to naturalistic properties. E.g eating junk is pleasurable, just because its pleasurable doesnt mean its good
          • Open Question Argument > We still need to ask if it is 'good'
    • Emotivism
      • AJ Ayer > ' The addition of the word good adds nothing to the factual content of a statement'
        • Just expressing emotion (approval / disapproval)
          • Boo / Hurrah! Theory
      • Example > Charity is good, Hurrah! Genocide is bad, Boo...
      • Strength
        • Explains why we have different views
        • Perhaps open to more debate
        • We do use emotion
      • Weakness
        • Blanchard > Doesnt mean it isnt good or bad
        • Rachel's > We use reason
        • Reduces it to a matter of facts
    • Is Meta-Ethics useful?

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Religious Studies resources:

See all Religious Studies resources »See all Ethics resources »