10 Questions
What is the fundamental idea behind Mind-Independence?
Moral facts and properties exist independently of human thought and perception.
What is the core argument of Moral Realism?
Moral facts and properties exist independently of human opinion, and can be known through objective means.
What is the central claim of Error Theory?
Moral statements are systematically mistaken.
What is the main argument of Non-Cognitivism?
Moral statements express attitudes, emotions, or prescriptions.
What is the central idea of Moral Naturalism?
Moral properties and facts can be reduced to natural properties and facts.
What is the fundamental difference between Moral Realism and Moral Anti-Realism?
Moral Realism argues that moral facts and properties exist independently of human opinion, while Moral Anti-Realism argues that they do not.
What is the primary distinction between Mind-Independence and Mind-Dependence?
Mind-Independence argues that moral facts and properties exist independently of human thought and perception, while Mind-Dependence argues that they do not.
What is the central claim of Moral Non-Naturalism?
Moral properties and facts cannot be reduced to natural properties and facts.
What is the main argument of Moral Anti-Realism?
Moral facts and properties do not exist independently of human opinion, and are merely a product of human sentiment or convention.
What is the primary difference between Error Theory and Non-Cognitivism?
Error Theory argues that moral statements are systematically mistaken, while Non-Cognitivism argues that moral statements express attitudes, emotions, or prescriptions.
Study Notes
Metaphysical Issues in Metaethics
Mind-Independence vs. Mind-Dependence
- Mind-Independence: Moral facts and properties exist independently of human thought and perception.
- Mind-Dependence: Moral facts and properties are dependent on human thought and perception.
Moral Realism vs. Moral Anti-Realism
- Moral Realism: Moral facts and properties exist independently of human opinion, and can be known through objective means.
- Moral Anti-Realism: Moral facts and properties do not exist independently of human opinion, and are merely a product of human sentiment or convention.
Error Theory
- Error Theory: Moral statements are systematically mistaken, as they assume the existence of objective moral facts and properties that do not exist.
- Implies that moral judgments are false and that moral language is systemically flawed.
Non-Cognitivism
- Non-Cognitivism: Moral statements do not express beliefs or propositions, but rather attitudes, emotions, or prescriptions.
- Implies that moral judgments are not truth-apt and cannot be evaluated as true or false.
Moral Naturalism vs. Moral Non-Naturalism
- Moral Naturalism: Moral properties and facts can be reduced to natural properties and facts.
- Moral Non-Naturalism: Moral properties and facts cannot be reduced to natural properties and facts, and are therefore sui generis.
Supervenience
- Supervenience: Moral properties and facts supervene on natural properties and facts, meaning that they cannot exist without them.
- Implies that moral properties and facts are dependent on natural properties and facts, but cannot be reduced to them.
Explore the fundamental questions of metaethics, including mind-independence vs. mind-dependence and moral realism vs. moral anti-realism.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
