a) Cognitive and non-cognitive uses of language, realism and anti-realism, language as factual or symbolic, the nature of ethical assertions as absolutist or relative, ethical naturalism, the naturalistic fallacy, the is–ought gap, the problem of the open question, ethical non-naturalism, intuitionism, prescriptivism.
b) Emotivism, the influence of the logical positivism on emotivist theories of ethics, ethical language as functional and persuasive. Developments of the emotivist approach and criticism of it.
1 Explore how meta-ethics is different from normative ethics. (8)
1 Explore the ideas of the Cognitive and non-cognitive uses of ethical language (8)
1 Explore the difference between realism and anti-realism as approaches to ethical language. (8)
1 Explore the place and context of the debate about language as factual or symbolic. (8)
1 Explore the the nature of ethical assertions as absolutist or relative. (8)
1 Explore the meta ethical approach of ethical naturalism. (8)
1 Explore the naturalistic fallacy and the is–ought gap as meta ethical issues. (8)
1 Explore the is/ought and the open question argument. (8)
1 Explore both the naturalistic fallacy and the is-ought gap. (8)
1 Explore the relationship between the problem of the open question and ethical non-naturalism. (8)
1 Explore what is meant by ethical non-naturalism. (8)
1 Explore different ideas about intuitionism. (8)
1 Explore key ideas of intuitionism. (8)
1 Explore different ideas about prescriptivism. (8)
1 Explore the key ideas of prescriptivism. (8)
1 Explore the view that ethical language is essentially emotive. (8)
1 Explore the concept of emotivism in ethical language. (8)
1 Explore the influence of logical positivism on emotivist theories of ethics. (8)
1 Explore the ideas of ethical language as functional and persuasive. (8)
1 Explore developments in the meta ethical theory of emotivism. (8)
1 Explore the weakness of emotivism. (8)
1 Explore the contribution of GE Moore to ethical language. (8)
1 Explore the contribution of AJ Ayer to ethical language. (8)
2. Assess the extent of the problems for ethics in the Cognitive and non-cognitive use of language. (12)
2. Assess the extent of the problems which scholars have identified regarding the use and meaning of ethical language. (12)
2. Assess whether the problems raised by realism and anti realism in ethical language can be resolved. (12)
2. Assess the claim that ethical language is symbolic. (12)
2. Assess tthe claim that ethical language describes natural facts. (12)
2. Assess the claim that ethical statements merely express emotions. (12)
2. Assess the significance of non-naturalism within meta-ethics. (12)
2. the extent to which moral language should be seen as factual. (12)
2. Assess Moore’s contribution to ethical language. (12)
2. Assess whether the problems raised by the use and meaning of ethical language can be resolved. (12)
2. Assess the extent have scholars successfully defended ethical language against the charge that it is essentially meaningless. (12)
2. Assess the importance of the the problems scholars have raised regarding the use of ethical language. (12)
2 Assess the implications of the claim that ethical language is not factual but symbolic. (12)
2. Assess the credibility of the claim 'Ethical language is so problematic; we can never reach any understanding of what is good. (12)
2 Assess the implications of claim that the nature of ethical assertions is that they are not absolutist but relative . (12)
2 Assess the strengtht of the claim that ethical language is meaningless and therefore cannot be true. (12)
2 Assess the implications of the the naturalistic fallacy and the is–ought gap for ethical language. (12)
2 Assess the importance of the problem of the open question for ethical naturalism and non-naturalism. (12)
2 Assess the strengths of claim that intuitionism is the only successful form of ethical language. (12)
2 Assess the weaknesses of claim that prescriptivism is the only helpful approach to take to ethical language. (12)
2 Assess the significance of the claim Emotivism suceeds where other approachs to ethical langauge fail. (12)
2 Assess the view that ethical language is essentially emotive. (12) 2018 Q
2 Assess how far it is the case that logical positivism is key influence of the on emotivist theories of ethics. (12)
2 Assess how far it is the case that ethical language is merely functional and persuasive. (12)
3b Analyse the problems identified by scholars with regard to the use of ethical language. (20) 2021
3b Analyse Two problems raised by the use and meaning of ethical language. (20)
3b Analyse the the claim that the problems of ethical language reveal that it is essentially meaningless. (20)
3b Analyse the claim that emotivism provides a solution to the problems raised regarding the use of ethical language. (20)
3b Analyse the extent have scholars successfully defended ethical language against the charge that it is essentially meaningless' (20)
3b Analyse the implications of the claim that ethical language is not factual but symbolic. (20)
3b Analyse the implications of the claim 'Ethical language is so problematic; we can never reach any understanding of what is good. (20)
3b) Analayse the implications of claim that the nature of ethical assertions is that they are not absolutist but relative. (20)
3b Analyse the relevance of the this claim ethical language is meaningless and therefore cannot be true with reference to the debates about verification and falsification. (20)
3b Analyse the implications of the the naturalistic fallacy and the is–ought gap for ethical language.. (20)
3b Analyse the weaknesses of claim that prescriptivism is the only helpful approach to take to ethical language. (20)
3b Analyse strengths of claim that intuitionism is the only successful form of ethical language. (20)
3b Analyse the the significance of the claim Emotivism succeeds where other approach's to ethical language fail. (20)
3b Analyse he implications of the the naturalistic fallacy and the is–ought gap for ethical language.. (20)
3b Analyse how far it is the case that logical positivism is key influence of the on emotivist theories of ethics. (20)
3b Analyse how far it is the case that ethical language is merely functional and persuasive.
4. Evaluate the meaning and significance of the problems which scholars have identified regarding the use and meaning of ethical language can be solved (30)
4 Evaluate the opinion that the problems of ethical language reveal that it is essentially meaningless. (30)
4 Evaluate the claim emotivism provides a solution to the problems raised regarding the use of ethical language. (30)
4 Evaluate the opinion that scholars have successfully defended ethical language against the charge that it is essentially meaningless' . (30)
4 Evaluate the the view that the word ‘good’ has no real meaning.. (30)
4 Evaluate the view that ethical language is inherently emotive. (30) Q 2022
4 Evaluate the claim that moral judgements are based on an unquestionable intuitive knowledge of what is good. (30)
4 Evaluate the extent of which to what extent moral statements have objective meaning. (30)
4 Evaluate the view that ’that ethical statements are no more than expressions of opinion.' (30)
4 Evaluate the extent to which To what extent it can be claimed that ethical language meaningful. (30)
4. Evaluate the view Ethical statements are no more than expressions of emotion. (30)
4 Evaluate tthe implications of the claim that ethical language is not factual but symbolic. (30)
4 Evaluate the relevance of the this claim ethical language is meaningless and therefore cannot be true with reference to the debates about verification and falsification. (30)
4 Evaluate the status of the claim all ethical language is prescriptive. (30)
4 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the claim that intuitionism is the only successful form of ethical language. (30)
4 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the claim that ethical language is essentially emotive. (30)
4 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the claim that ethical language is essentially prescriptive. (30)