AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines...
-
Upload
sasha-northcraft -
Category
Documents
-
view
222 -
download
0
Transcript of AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines...
![Page 1: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
AS Religious Ethics AS Religious Ethics RevisionRevision
Meta-EthicsMeta-Ethics
![Page 2: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Three Types of Ethics
Meta-EthicsMeta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning.
Normative EthicsNormative Ethics – seeks to set the content (required actions) of moral behaviour.
Descriptive EthicsDescriptive Ethics – statistics and ethical facts
![Page 3: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Meta - Ethics
Examines ethical language such as ‘good’, ‘ought’ and ‘wrong’. In other words, what do we mean when we call something ‘good’ or ‘bad’?
![Page 4: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Normative EthicsNormative Ethics
Tries to provide a guide for moral behaviour. In seeks to answer the question “What ought I do in situation x?” The moral theories of Kant and Bentham are examples of normative ethics.
![Page 5: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
BACKGROUND TO META-ETHICSBACKGROUND TO META-ETHICS
A essential factor in ethical problems is whether they are either
SUBJECTIVE or
OBJECTIVE
![Page 6: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Are they based onAre they based on
personal opinion personal opinion
or onor on external facts?external facts?
![Page 7: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
““The 2003-2004 Norwich The 2003-2004 Norwich City side is the best of all City side is the best of all
time.”time.”Subjective (an OPINION – that can’t Subjective (an OPINION – that can’t
be tested)be tested)
““The sun is shining”The sun is shining” Objective (a FACT – that can be Objective (a FACT – that can be
tested)tested)
![Page 8: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Some technical terms
If a thing is objective, then it is
COGNITIVE it can be known and
proved
![Page 9: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
If a thing is subjective, then it is
NON-COGNITIVE
It can’t be proven
![Page 10: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
With it so far?
Stop chatting at the back and pay attention to me!
![Page 11: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Cognitive ethical language
Makes propositions that (it claims) can
be known to be either true or false.
![Page 12: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
SUCH AS
Killing people is wrong
Be faithful to your partner
Never tell a lie
![Page 13: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Why?
A cognivtist would claim that we can ‘prove’ such statements to be true.
TASK:TASK:
How could you ‘prove’ that these things are bad, immoral, wicked or
evil?
![Page 14: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Killing people is wrong
Be faithful to your partner
Never tell a lie
![Page 15: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Example
Kant was a COGNITIVECOGNITIVE ethicist
WHY?WHY?
Because he believed that you could ‘prove’ how people ought to behave.
HOW?HOW?
The Good Will, reason, & universalisablity
![Page 16: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
On the other hand
![Page 17: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Non-cognitive ethical language
Claims that in ethics we aren’t dealing with things that are resolved by ascertaining the validity or falsification of a statement.
To put it another way
YOU CAN’T PROVE IT!YOU CAN’T PROVE IT!
![Page 18: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Meta-ethics divides into two parts:
1.1. COGNITIVIST ETHICAL THEORYCOGNITIVIST ETHICAL THEORY
2.2. NON-COGNITIVIST ETHICAL NON-COGNITIVIST ETHICAL THEORYTHEORY
![Page 19: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
COGNITIVIST ETHICAL COGNITIVIST ETHICAL THEORYTHEORY
ETHICAL NATURALISM ETHICAL NATURALISM
INTUITIONISM
![Page 20: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
NON-COGNITIVIST NON-COGNITIVIST ETHICAL THEORYETHICAL THEORY
LOGICAL POSITIVISTS
EMOTIVISM
PRESCRIPTIVISM PRESCRIPTIVISM
![Page 21: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
ETHICAL NATURALISM Treats ethical statements just the same as non-ethical statement – propositions that can be proved or disproved.For example:The statement “acid turns litmus paper red” is true because it can be established using evidence.The statement “murder is wrong” is also true. If we look at the evidence, we see that generally murder makes people unhappy, it is wrong to make people unhappy therefore murder is wrong.
![Page 22: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
CRITICISM OF ETHICAL NATURALISM
G. E. Moore (Principa Ethica)G. E. Moore (Principa Ethica)
The Naturalistic Fallacy The Naturalistic Fallacy
Moral statements can’t be verified Moral statements can’t be verified (proved) using empirical evidence (proved) using empirical evidence
You can’t turn an ‘is’ – a fact – into You can’t turn an ‘is’ – a fact – into an ‘ought’ – what we ought to doan ‘ought’ – what we ought to do
![Page 23: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Example
The world ISIS in a terrible state – pollution so bad budgies are falling off their perches, rain forests the size of Wales disappear every week just to keep Yanks in burgers, nuclear waste being left all over the place – any terrorist could get their hands on it!
The world ISIS in such a terrible state, we OUGHTOUGHT to do something about it
Therefore pollution, deforestation & nuclear waste AREARE WRONG (or evil or bad – pick your own moral term!) and we OUGHTOUGHT to do something about them.
![Page 24: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
G. E. Moore’s Intuitionism
In place of Ethical Naturalism, Moore proposed
INTUITIONISM.INTUITIONISM.
He said that ‘good’ is indefinable:
![Page 25: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
“We know what ‘yellow’ is and can recognise it whenever it is seen, but we cannot actually define yellow. In the same way, we know what good is but we cannot actually define it.”
![Page 26: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
For Moore,For Moore,
‘Good’ is indefinable;indefinable;
there are objective moral truths;
the basic moral truths are self evident to the mature mind.
![Page 27: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Henry Sidgewick & Intuitionism
Believed that there were three self-evident moral truths or principles:Prudence – defer an immediate pleasure for a greater pleasure in the future (e.g. saving up money)Justice – you should not put your own interests in front of those of the communityBenevolence – care for those in need
![Page 28: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
F. H. Bradley & Intuitionism
We discover moral obligation from society. Moral obligation is called the concrete universal. Moral activity = find your position in society and do your duties. “Don’t question society”
![Page 29: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
H. A. Prichard & Intuitionism
Two types of thinking:
General thinkingGeneral thinking – a moral decision is made relative to the situation at hand
Moral thinkingMoral thinking – rested on immediate intuition and not reason – this is what indicates the right thing to do.
![Page 30: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
H. A. Prichard (Cont)
Some have clearer moral intuition that others because their moral thinking has been further developed. This accounts for differences in moral actions.
BUT, he didn’t tell us how to ascertain who has the clearer intuition.
![Page 31: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
W. D. Ross & Intuition
Greatly influenced by Moore and Prichard
ButBut went further and said:‘RightRight’ and ‘obligatory’ are as indefinable as ‘goodgood’
![Page 32: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
W. D. Ross (Cont)
There are two elements in determining what is right:
The factual situation
How that situation is viewed
![Page 33: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
W. D. Ross (Cont)
The right (good) act is an act which the
agent thinks is right in the situation as
the agent thinks it is
![Page 34: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
W. D. Ross (Cont)
WHY?Because the subjective evaluation of the situation leads to a direct form of individual intuition to access right conduct.
![Page 35: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
But!
Aquinas has already said this centuries earlier in a slightly different form. He said
“Let conscience be your guide”
Which leads us very neatly into. . . . . . . .
![Page 36: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
CRITICISM OF INTUITIONISM
How can we be sure that intuitions are correct?
Are they just a gut feeling?
Voice of God? Conscience?
Neurosis? Paranoia?
![Page 37: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
CRITICISM OF INTUITIONISM
People who use intuitionintuition and those who use reasonreason may reach different conclusions and there is no obvious way to resolve their differences.
![Page 38: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
CRITICISM OF INTUITIONISM
Intuited knowledge owes more to social background than any firm basis for morality ~ at least according to Bradley.
![Page 39: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
CRITICISM OF INTUITIONISM
According to the logical positivists, since individuals’ intuitions cannot be tested, they are
meaningless.
![Page 40: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
And now for something completely different. . .
INTRODUCING (for your pleasure and amusement) . . .
THE LOGICAL POSITIVISTS
![Page 41: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
NON COGNITIVIST ETHICAL THEORIES
Rejected the idea of certain knowledge about good and bad
Statements only have meaning if they can be tested
Moral statements cannot be tested so logically therefore, they have no meaning
![Page 42: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
EMOTIVISM A. J. Ayer‘Boo Hurrah Theory’ Moral statements only express personal feelings ‘Abortion is wrong” = ‘I don’t like abortion.’moral statements are arbitrary and meaningless.
![Page 43: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
EMOTIVISMC. L. Stevenson modified Ayer’s ideas. Ethical statements = expressions of attitude and opinion Not arbitrary BUT based on beliefs about the world, the ways it should work, worldly experiences and what we want it to be.
![Page 44: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
CRITICISMS OF EMOTIVISM
How can you judge How can you judge between two people’s between two people’s moral opinions?moral opinions?
Isn’t it just the same Isn’t it just the same as relativism?as relativism?
![Page 45: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
CRITICISMS OF EMOTIVISM
It prescribes complete freedom of action because everyone’s opinion is equally valid. Everyone is free to do what they choose, regardless of the opinion of others.
![Page 46: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
PRESCRIPTIVISM
R. H. Hare
agrees with Ayer - moral statements are expressions of opinion But also prescribing our opinions to others.“Murder is wrong” = “You ought not to murder and neither should I”
![Page 47: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
CRITICISMS OF PRESCRIPTIVISM
Moral judgements are founded on prescriptions and have no claim to objective truth.
![Page 48: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
In other words
We agree the rules and try and stick to them (a sort or ethical gentleman’s agreement!)
![Page 49: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
CRITICISMS OF PRESCRIPTIVISM
Doesn’t specify why I should follow your rules rather than mine!
(And what if I don’t like the rules - why should I follow them at all - lacks ethical authority!)
![Page 50: AS Religious Ethics Revision Meta-Ethics Three Types of Ethics Meta-Ethics Meta-Ethics – examines the language of ethics and moral reasoning. Normative.](https://reader031.fdocuments.in/reader031/viewer/2022032307/56649c745503460f94926750/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
The End
Now
just pass
the exam!