Intuitionism

• What is good according to Moore?

  An idea. Just like yellow. You cannot describe it in any other way than to say yellow. On the other hand, there are complex words like horse because it has many properties and qualities. But with good you cannot go any further
• What is a naturalistic fallacy?

  The mistaken justification of actions based on the fact that such actions can be found in nature
• What is Moore's naturalistic fallacy against Bentham?

  If a naturalist claims that goodness consists of things that lead to pleasure, we will then be able to identify that things that leads to pleasure but still be left with the question 'But is it good?'. Maybe it is, maybe it is not. But we cannot be certain so goodness cannot be defined as pleasure
• What is intuitionism?


  We know if something is good through intuition
• What does it mean to say intuitionism is self evident?

  The basic moral principles are self evident truths - known truths which require no further proof or justification. You need to have a degree of maturity and a time of reflection. The test of such principles isn't if they work but whether after examination there is a clash with our intuitions.

  
  

  They are stand alone beliefs, so moral judgement is evident to those who hold them. A form of moral realism: moral truths exist independently of persons
• What does W.D Ross argue?

  Intuitionism is how people choose between conflicting duties
• What is the prima facie argument?

  'First appearances'. We are bound to follow this duty unless there's an overriding obligation not to. We follow the prima facie motive unless a higher duty exists and compels us to do something differently
• What are the seven prima facie duties?

  - promise keeping

  - repair for harm done

  - gratitude

  - justice

  - benefit others

  - self-improvement

  - not to inflict harm
• W.D Ross - development of intuitionism

  When a dilemma forces a choice that must lead to the abandonment of one principle or another, Ross provides a way forward. Kant believed that one should always be truthful even in a situation where one was in danger. Ross offers a way around this problem by setting aside the principle of truthfulness for the higher duty of preserving life
• What is emotivism and who developed it?

  Dismisses ethical statements as mere statements of emotion - AJ Ayer
• Strengths of intuitionism


  - addresses Pritchard's weaknesses. Argues for first appearances duties

  - self evident needs to be worked on

  - anyone can use this system

  - flexibility to the duties as it is not in order

  - moral judgements and statements cannot be proven
• Weaknesses of intuitionism


  - you cannot define good, so how do you know if something is good?

  - claims that good is not pleasure but does not prove this case

  - if we do not know what good is how can we measure if good has been achieved?

  - are Ross' prima facie duties universal?

  - too subjective