B) Intuitionism

Background

• Meta-ethical approach: seeks to explore the nature of moral values and terms
• Realist: objective moral laws exist independently of humans
• G.E. Moore led the way in this 'anti-naturalism'
• The theory that moral judgements are known intuitively
• Puts forth the idea that moral values are irreducible to anything else; they are unique and we should recognise them as such
• 'Consequentialist intuitionism'- supported by G.E.Moore or deontological intuitionism- held by H.A.Prichard

Moore's intuitionism

• As a consequentialist, Moore believed that the moral worth of an action is determined by the good effects it brings
• Stated that good cannot be defined, but can be known intuitively
• Because good is indefinable, it cannot be reduced to 'the greatest happiness' (act utilitarianism) or some other non-moral good
• 'Good' can be defined no more successfully than 'yellow': in the same way ethical values cannot be defined but are self-evident and can be known only directly through intuition
• 'If I am asked, "What is…