Naturalism
All things are provable using empirical evidence
What are the 4 main ideas in meta ethics
Naturalism
Intuitionism
Emotivism
Prescriptivist
Naturalism scholars
F. H Bradley
David Hume
Phillipa foot
What does F. H Bradley say
We can use empirical evidence to know if someone is good
What does David Hume say
Ethical statements are opinions, not facts.
“You cant get an ought from an is”
David Hume example
Euthanasia is assisted suicide- fact
Euthanasia is wrong- moral statement
What does Phillipa foot say
A good person can be seen through their characteristics
Intuitionist scholars
G. E Moore
H. A Pritchard
W. D Rosa
What does G. E Moore say
“Good is good and thats the end”
People just know if something is good or not
G. E Moore example
Describe yellow. If you start describing it with different things like sun or banana, it loses meaning
F. H Bradley problems
Subjective and you can manipulate evidence
G. E Moore problems
Not everyone is wired the same way
E.g serial killers
H. A Pritchard what does he say
We intuitively know what duties we must do
W. D Ross what does he say
We know what those duties are (Prima Facie)
What does W. D Ross say we must follow (duties)
Prima Facie duties
Whats in the Prima Facie
Promise keeping
Reparation
Gratitude
Justice
Beneficence
Self improvement
Non-maleficence
Problem with W. D Ross
If we know what are duties are then doesn’t that stop it from being an intuitionist theory
Emotivism Scholars
A. J Ayer
C. L Stevenson
What does A. J Ayer say
Unless you can prove something, ethical statements are just expression of emotion
Problems with A. J Ayer
Doesn’t our expression of emotion dictate whether something is good or bad (C. L Stevenson)
C. L Stevenson what does he say
Moral language has meaning because the things we say gives us the reason for if something is good or bad
E.g if someone said “Charity is good” that gives info on the fact charity is good no matter if its an emotional statement
Problems with C. L Stevenson
Some people could have the wrong emotional expression. Subjective
Prescriptivist scholars
R. M Hare
R. M Hare what does he say
Ethical statements aren’t just opinion, they are used to persuade others to believe the same thing you do
