Meta-Ethics: Emotivism

What are synthetic statements? Example?

Tested by sense perception. Joffrey is a pug.

2 other criticisms of Emotivism?

- Reductionist. -Emotivism.

Main criticism of Emotivism?

- The Ironic Truth.

What does Stevenson argue that 'goodness' must possess?

A magnetism, a compulsion to act in its favour.

What does Stevenson argue we must be able to do?

Disagree about what is 'good'.

Example of a statement that is synthetic and analytic?

A triangle has 3 sides.

Who created The Verification Principle?

A.J. Ayer.

What does it have to be?

At least one or the other, it can't always be both.

What else is Stevenson's theory known as?

Attitude theory.

Why are they tautologies?

Because non-natural properties found in ethical language are neither synthetic or analytic.

What is TVP's link to Emotivism?

Emotivism bases the validity of ethical language on TVP.

What is the general gist of TVP?

Ethical language is neither analytical or synthetic, therefore, ethical statements are unverifiable and meaningless in terms of science/factual knowledge.

What did the Vienna Circle seek to do?

Give a scientific account of ethical language in opposition to both Naturalism and Intuitionism.

Why can Ayer be accused of emotivism?

It is his opinion that good ''serves only as an emotive sign expressing our attitudes''.

Why is it reductionist?

It is reducing ethical statements to emotions.

What is TVP?

Language is meaningful if it is either analytic or synthetic.

What type of theory?

Non-cognitive.

What does Stevenson believe takes away any meaning that ethical statements may have?

People's attitudes to an ethical statement, not because it's been scientifically proven to be meaningless.

What do Emotivists believe?

Reference to a non-natural world or non-natural properties are meaningless.

What is a 'hurrah'?

Right thing.

What does Stevenson argue that 'goodness' must not only be discoverable through?

Scientific investigation.

What does Stevenson argue that disagreements about ethical issues are?

Simply a disagreement about attitude.

What is the ironic truth?

TVP doesn't pass it's own test. The statement ''Meaningful statements are either synthetic or analytic'' doesn't pass TVP.

What do Emotivists believe that ethical statements are?

Tautologies (meaningless/false) in terms of factual moral knowledge/universal moral laws (but not in terms of human sentiment).

What does 'attitude theory' recognise?

That ethical disagreements reflect fundamental beliefs of individuals that may be a little influenced by activity, reason and science.

What is the main/essential argument of Stevenson?

That ethical language is subjective.

What does Stevenson argue?

That ethical statements are more than just a 'boo/hurrah'.

What does Ayer argue 'good' is? (Quote).

That the word 'good'...''serves only as an emotive sign expressing our attitude'' to something.

What was Stevenson's theory?

The Boo-Hurrah theory.

Who developed logical positivism? When?

The Vienna Circle. 1920/30s.

Why is ethical language meaningless according to Stevenson? Example?

There is no universal code, people may act differently in the situation. Giving to charity- someone may give a homeless man £2, others may be pessimistic and think it's better not to (think he may buy drugs).

What are analytic statements? Example?

True by definition. A pug is a dog.

Why can we criticise Emotivism using ought implies can?

We can't always come to a universalized code- e.g. Polygamy is wrong (cultural relativism).

What is a 'boo'?

Wrong thing.

What is a problem with ethical language according to Stevenson? What can this potentially link to?

You can't universalize it, therefore it can't be a good thing. Kantian ethics.