Prescriptivism – R. M. Hare

Question 1

What type of ethical theory is Prescriptivism?

Answer 1

Non-cognitive.

Question 2

What happens when we use ethical language?

Answer 2

When we use ethical language, we are prescribing a course of action.

Question 3

What kind of statement is “good”?

Answer 3

Good is an action statement.

Question 4

What must courses of action be?

Answer 4

Courses of action must be universal.

Question 5

What are we stating when we say “stealing is wrong”?

Answer 5

We are stating that nobody should steal.

Question 6

What are we doing when we say “stealing is wrong”?

Answer 6

Universalising that statement.

Question 7

What are you doing when you say something is “good”?

Answer 7

You are telling yourself and others to act in a certain way.

Question 8

What is moral language meant to do?

Answer 8

Moral language is meant to guide action.

Question 9

What is moral language not meant to do?

Answer 9

Not just describe reality.

Question 10

What does “Helping the poor is good” really mean?

Answer 10

You (and I) should help the poor.

Question 11

What is Hare’s big idea?

Answer 11

If you make a moral statement, you must be willing for everyone to follow it in similar situations.

Question 12

What must you agree to if you say “stealing is wrong”?

Answer 12

That no one should steal in any similar situation including you.

Question 13

What is universalisability like?

Answer 13

A test of consistency.

Question 14

What does universalisability stop?

Answer 14

Moral hypocrisy.

Question 15

Why does universalisability stop hypocrisy?

Answer 15

You can’t say “stealing is wrong” but then say “it’s okay if I steal when I want to.”

Question 16

In the exam cheating example, what are you prescribing?

Answer 16

Nobody should cheat on exams.

Question 17

What must you accept if you say cheating is wrong?

Answer 17

You must accept this even if you are tempted to cheat in the future.

Question 18

What are you universalising when you say “Killing is wrong”?

Answer 18

Nobody should kill.

Question 19

What must you do if you support killing in self-defence?

Answer 19

You must clarify the statement so it is consistent.

Question 20

How can “killing is wrong” be clarified?

Answer 20

Killing innocent people is wrong.

Question 21

What does Prescriptivism link moral language with?

Answer 21

Action and consistency.

Question 22

What does Prescriptivism force you to think about?

Answer 22

What you’re actually committing to when you say something is wrong or right.

Question 23

Why does Prescriptivism avoid empty moralising?

Answer 23

If you’re not prepared to universalise your statement, you shouldn’t make it.

Question 24

What strength does Prescriptivism have regarding debates?

Answer 24

This explains why ethical and medical debates are so contentious.

Question 25

Why are people not just expressing feelings in moral debates?

Answer 25

They are actually debating what everyone should do.

Question 26

Why do ethical debates feel serious and intense?

Answer 26

People are trying to decide rules that should apply to all of society.

Question 27

What are people really debating in euthanasia debates?

Answer 27

What the law or universal rule should be.

Question 28

What does saying “abortion is wrong” prescribe?

Answer 28

A rule that should apply to everyone.

Question 29

How does Prescriptivism force moral consistency?

Answer 29

If someone says abortion is wrong, they are committing to the claim that no one should have an abortion.

Question 30

What does this make moral language?

Answer 30

A guide to action that can be judged for consistency.

Question 31

What does Mackie argue?

Answer 31

There are no objective moral values.

Question 32

Why is moral relativism a weakness for Prescriptivism?

Answer 32

It challenges the universalising aim of prescriptivism.