metaethics discussion

• Does the definition of the word 'good' define the study of ethics?

  • language used in moral decisions and debates is not insignificant as matters of morality inform law and policy
  • meta-ethics questions what is really meant by the word Good
  • discussion on what the speaker means should take place - murder is wrong -- could depend on the situation
  • really doesn't matter whether or not language is fixed if all in the conversation agree with the general points the words present
  • other ways of talking about morality -we can talk about it in terms of virtue, habit or practice -- as foot suggests
  • focus on flourishing as a human
  • Prichard's idea of duty
• Does ethical language have any factual basis? Is it objective, personally subjective or meaningless?

  • meta ethics is a link between our ideas about right, wrong and reality
  • world contains no moral facts because facts are not things that can be facts
  • one view about the kind of thing a moral affects is how it might be used - e.g. Declaration of Independence says all are equal
  • idea of objective moral truth is a powerful thing - with a capacity to command authority over all and provide assurance on what to do and what not to do - help confirm truth
  • Moore - must be some facts behind our moral utterance, thought that if 2 people made opposing moral judgements must be based on facts.
• Does ethical language have any factual basis? Is it objective, personally subjective or meaningless? pt2

  • morals may be down to subjective beliefs, perhaps informed by cultural differences
  • Subjectivism - celebrates personal identity -- it is not so good for communities and or society - e.g. female mutilation or forced marriage - some cultures allow it
  • perhaps we are kidding ourselves - giving morality a position of cultural importance - moral uttereances are nothing more than emotional outbursts
• Do people just know in themselves what is good,bad and wrong

  • instinct - we just know without education, but if that's the case then why do people commit immoral acts
  • Emotivists (Ayer and Stevenson) - do not think moral expressions reflect a kind of knowledge but merely an emotional response.
  • moral utterances come from within us but disagree about their status - more than an individuals
  • linked to human psychology - culture upbringing etc
  • inner moral compass is not the same as others