key words

• what is the definition of meta-ethics?

  greek 'meta' meaning above and beyond. the study of the meaning of ethical concepts
• what is the definition of normative ethics?

  theories of ethics that give advice on how we ought to behave
• what is the definition of naturalism?

  moral values can be correctly defined by observation of the natural world
• what is the definition of moral realism?

  belief that right and wrong actually exist ; they are real properties
• what is the definition of cognitivism?

  moral statements are subject to being either true or false
• what is the definition of intuitionism?

  moral truths are indefinable and self-evident
• what is the definition of naturalistic fallacy?


  it is a mistake to define moral terms with reference to other non-moral or natural terms
• what is the definition of emotivism?

  moral statements are not statements of facts but are indicators of emotional states
• what is the definition of non-cognitivism?

  moral statements are not subject to truth or falsity
• what is the definition of logical positivism?


  developed by members of the Vienna Circle which considered philosophical analysis to be the way to determine whether an idea is meaningful
• what is the definition of moral anti-realist?

  its the belief that right and wrong do not actually exist but its a matter of opinion