How Not to Answer Moral Questions by Tom Regan Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers key concepts surrounding morality, personal preferences, emotivism, and methods for assessing moral judgments based on Tom Regan's lecture.

Emotivism

The view that moral judgments are merely expressions of personal preference and not statements of fact.

Moral Judgments

Principles of right and wrong that state what should or should not be the case.

Personal Preferences

Principles of choice that are sensitive to individual taste and experience.

Normative Claims

Statements that express what ought to be the case as opposed to descriptive statements which state what is the case.

Descriptive Claims

Statements that describe what is the case, such as personal preferences.

Conceptual Clarity

Understanding the specific terms and issues involved in a moral claim before attempting to appraise it.

Empirical Information

Knowledge about the real world that is necessary for answering moral questions effectively.

Rationality

The ability to understand logical connections between statements and to draw conclusions.

Impartiality

The principle of not favoring one side over another in moral judgments, free from bias and prejudice.

Reflective Endorsement

The process of evaluating moral judgments in a calm, collected manner to ensure they stand up to scrutiny.

Majority Will

The idea that what most people prefer or think determines what is morally right or wrong.

Divine Command Theory

The belief that moral authority is derived from God's commands.