4. Ethical Language: Meta-ethics

The study of meta-ethical theories and how ethical language in the modern era has changed over time

4.1 Content Meta-ethical theories

• naturalism
• intuitionism
• emotivism

4.2 Knowledge

• what naturalism is (the belief that values can be defined in terms of some natural property in the world)and its application to absolutism

• what intutionism is (the belief that basic moral truths are indefinable but self-evident) and its application to the term good

• what emotivism is (the belief that ethical terms evince approval or disapproval) and its application to relativism

4.3 Issues as the basis of exam questions

Learners should have the opportunity to discuss issues related to meta-ethics, including:

• whether or not what is meant by the word ‘good’ is the defining question in the study of ethics
• whether or not ethical terms such as good, bad, right and wrong:

– have an objective factual basis that makes them true or false in describing something
– reflect only what is in the mind of the person using such terms
– can be said to be meaningful or meaningless

• whether or not, from a common sense approach, people just know withinthemselves what is good, bad, right and wrong

4.4 Suggested scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority

Learners will be given credit for referring to any appropriate scholarly views, academic approaches and sources of wisdom and authority, however the following examples may prove useful

• Moore, G.E. (1903) Principia Ethica, Chapter II 
• Ayer, A.J. (1936) Language, Truth and Logic, London: Victor Gollancz, Chapter 6
• Mackie, J.L. (1977) Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, London: Penguin Books,Part 1.3