Ethical Language
The Significance of Calling Something Right or Wrong
- Moral Guidance: Ethical language provides a framework for making decisions and evaluating actions.
- Social Cohesion: Shared moral language fosters understanding and cooperation within communities.
- Expressing Values: Terms like "right" and "wrong" convey deeply held beliefs and priorities.
Note
Ethical language is not just descriptive; it is often prescriptive, guiding behavior and shaping societal norms.
The Debate About the Meaning of "Good" in Moral Statements
- Descriptive vs. Prescriptive: Does "good" describe a fact or prescribe an action?
- Objective vs. Subjective: Is "good" an objective property or a subjective preference?
- Cognitivism vs. Non-Cognitivism: Can moral statements be true or false, or are they expressions of emotion or attitude?
Note
Understanding the meaning of "good" is central to ethical theory, influencing how we justify moral judgments and actions.
Key Theories in Ethical Language
- Naturalism: Moral terms can be defined by natural properties (e.g., "good" = "pleasurable").
- Non-Naturalism: Moral terms refer to non-natural properties, understood through intuition.
- Emotivism: Moral statements express emotions rather than facts.
- Prescriptivism: Moral statements are prescriptions or commands, not descriptions.
Hint
When analyzing ethical language, consider how different theories address the meaning, function, and justification of moral terms.
The Role of Ethical Language in Moral Philosophy
- Clarifying Disagreements: Analyzing ethical language helps identify the root of moral disagreements.
- Guiding Action: Understanding the meaning of moral terms informs ethical decision-making.
- Shaping Norms: Ethical language influences cultural and societal values.
Self review
- Reflect on how you use terms like "right," "wrong," and "good" in your own moral reasoning.
- What assumptions underlie these judgments?
