meta-ethics
Ethics about ethics
Meta-ethics is the branch of philosophy that examines the foundations of ethical thinking itself—not what is right or wrong, but what we mean when we call something right or wrong.
It asks whether moral claims can be true or false, whether moral facts exist independently of human opinion, and how we might know them.
Her paper explored the meta-ethics of moral realism.
Doctrine denying mind-independent existence
- objectivismBelief in external truths
- subjectivismBelief truth is personal
- naturalismWorldview excluding the supernatural
- constructivismActive knowledge-building theory
nihilism · relativism · universalism · absolutism · reduction · G.E. Moore · moral truth
Theory prioritizing mental processes
- prescriptivismEnforcing linguistic correctness
- descriptivismDocumenting actual language use
- meaningWhat something signifies
- propositionsStatements asserted for consideration
A.J. Ayer · assertion · attitude · imperatives · declaratives
Knowledge through direct insight
- foundationalismKnowledge rests on basics
- justificationReason proving rightness
- a prioriIndependent of experience
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
rationalism · skepticism · self-evidence · inference · disagreement · uncertainty · prima facie · testimony
Methodical study of parts
- thought experimentsHypothetical scenarios for reasoning
- trolley problemsEthical dilemmas about intervention
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
- reasonsBases for conclusions
antirealism
Doctrine denying mind-independent existence
- objectivismBelief in external truths
- subjectivismBelief truth is personal
- naturalismWorldview excluding the supernatural
constructivism · nihilism · relativism · universalism · absolutism · reduction · G.E. Moore · moral truth
cognitivism
Theory prioritizing mental processes
- prescriptivismEnforcing linguistic correctness
- descriptivismDocumenting actual language use
- meaningWhat something signifies
propositions · A.J. Ayer · assertion · attitude · imperatives · declaratives
intuitionism
Knowledge through direct insight
- foundationalismKnowledge rests on basics
- justificationReason proving rightness
- a prioriIndependent of experience
empiricism · rationalism · skepticism · self-evidence · inference · disagreement · uncertainty · prima facie · testimony
analysis
Methodical study of parts
- thought experimentsHypothetical scenarios for reasoning
- trolley problemsEthical dilemmas about intervention
- impartialityFreedom from prejudice
reasons · motivation · externalism · Kantian
meta-ethicsapplied ethics
Morality for real situations
casuistry · bioethics · medical ethics · business ethics · professional ethics
meta-ethicsapplied ethics
Morality for real situations
ethical decision-making · ethical practice · moral conduct · ethical conduct