Meta ethics tries to make sense of the terms and concepts used in ethical theories. Some people believe that ethical language is extremely meaningful as they argue it is essential to be able to define terms such as “good” and “bad” before we can even begin to discuss ethical theories. However others disagree with this and argue that moral statements are subjective so cannot be meaningful as they cannot be described as either true or false. Those who hold cognitive theories about ethical language would argue that ethical statements are meaningful as they are about facts and can therefore be proved true or false. Ethical Naturalism is a cognitive theory of Meta ethics which holds the belief that ethical statements are the same as non ethical ones, so can be verified or falsified in the same way.
The answer to this question will vary. Some people are moral realists and hold that moral facts are objective facts that are out there in the world, these people believe that things are good or bad independently of us. Moral values such as goodness and badness are real properties of people in the same way that rough and smooth are properties of physical objects. This view is often referred to as cognitive language. Those who oppose cognitivists are called non cognitivists and they believe that when someone makes a moral statement they are not describing the world, but they are merely expressing their feelings and opinions, they believe that moral statements are not objective therefore they cannot be verified as true or false.
This explains why Fletcher strongly disagrees with Intrinsic Fallacy which asserts that ‘good’ or ‘bad’ properties are in the actions e.g. stealing is always bad because it’s causing harm to oneself and is disallowed in ten commandments (‘you shall not steal’) However Fletcher argues that this can’t be for every case, for example; if one must steal to feed their starving family then it should be deemed right. His second principle is that ‘love is the only norm’ which is stated by Fletcher that “the ruling norm of Christian decision is love; nothing else” which outlines that the (moral) law should only be followed if it’s in the interest of love, so therefore you can change the rules (Ten Commandments) for agape. Joseph Fletcher rejects Aquinas natural law by arguing that “there are no universal laws held by all men at all times.” He then went onto Jesus’ teachings and how he summarised the entire law by saying “love god” and “love thy neighbour” therefore implying that love is the only law. Fletcher’s fourth principle is that ‘love is not liking’ which is the idea stated by Fletcher that “love wills the neighbour’s good whether we like him or not”
As an example, a grocery store clerk who reports the father from the previous example to the police would be in violation of utilitarian ideology, but would find approval in virtue ethics. By reporting the father he is being an excellent employee to the grocery store and also improving society by reducing crime, passing the tests for both ethics and morality by virtue ethics standards. In the next example we will see how the same situation could unfold differently. Using the previous two examples, utilitarianism and virtue ethics provided conflicting viewpoints on similar issues. Deontological ethics bases itself upon performing a duty because it itself is inherently right without any
Meta ethics is the study of ethical language; however it differs from normative ethics. Normative ethics determines what is “good” and “bad”, whereas Meta ethics determines the meanings of the terms “good” and “bad”. There are two ethical approaches to Meta ethics, one being Cognitivism. Cognitivism is the view that ethical language can be known and understood objectively, through empirical experience or intuition. The second approach is Non-Cognitivism, this is the view that ethical language cannot be known and understood, due to subjectivity.
Critical thinking can be described as a process by which we determine whether or not something is right or wrong. Critical thinking can also be considered a form of analysis that determines if something is fact or fiction. By becoming a critical thinker, a person begins to develop a mental process of evaluation that can help them determine their ethical standard. A person who is a critical thinker is also an ethical person. There are six steps in the critical thinking process: 1.
The difference between charity and duty in societies are the level at which each word and the associated actions that belong with these words are revered. The idea of duty is associated with obligations something that you have to do. In our society, it is considered a violation to ignore your duty, showing there is little room for discretion. While charity though revered allows for a varying degree of discretion. Charity is not an obligation, “giving aid would be a good thing to do but it would not be wrong not to do it” (Gilabert, 2007).
With reference to Singer’s statement that, “… prevent evil… without sacrificing something of comparable moral significance”, in as much as the act of helping a friend who is suffering in a critical condition is morally good, in contrast, it is morally wrong to rob people at gun point. It would be sacrificing something of comparable moral significance for another. In other words, it is wrong to do a wrong action because of a right one. Singer also emphasizes the fact that you must be in the position to help. I think is a plausible idea since you cannot give what you do not have.
The act can be fulfilling an obligation rather than performing a selfless act. Deontology, is more commanding, it focuses more on your moral duty. Although, a deontologist may assign a duty to his or her self, there is no rationale for deciding an individual’s duty. Looking back on the person who committed the financial crimes, in virtue theory he may have just accidentally wrote the check off the wrong account. In utilitarianism theory, he may have written the check for his mother’s mortgage so that she can buy time to avoid foreclosure on her home.
The importance of honest, morally satisfying, work and respecting the property that is the result of that work is fulfilling. And, he speaks that culture is corrupted by people that allow governments to protect property rather than people. The closing statement of“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. (Emerson p. 374)”, is Emerson’s way of explaining the importance of self worth.