Emotivism

What is Emotivism?

ethical theories that hold that moral statements are not statements of fact but are either beliefs or emotions

What type of theory is Emotivism?

Non-Cognitivist - moral truths cannot be verified

What are Emotivists?

Relativists - promoting the idea that there are no fixed morals

What perspective does Ayer take?

Emotivism

What perspective does Stevenson take?

Emotivism

What did Ayler claim?

morals are relative only to our emotions, they do not tell us anything about the external world

What does Ayler claim a meaningful statement is?

Verification Principle

• Synthetic - statements that can be verified by ourselves

• Analytical - can be verified analytically; true by definition

Does Ayler believe that moral judgements are meaningful?

cannot be verified - meaningless

• ‘hurrah/boo’ theory - expression of feelings only

How does Ayler describe moral judgements?

“I am merely expressing certain moral sentiments”

How does Stevenson develop Ayler’s Emotivism?

people express a moral opinion not as an emotional response - an expression of an attitude or a belief they have

• element that seeks to persuade or influence others

Which two scholars are supportive of Emotivism?

• Ayler

• Stevenson

Which two scholars are critical of Emotivism?

• MacIntyre

• Rachels

How does MacInytre challenge Emotivism?

opaque - we can rationally determine the best possible life for humans and so can have moral judgements which are more than mere preferences

• Stevenson makes an unpleasant world where people are just imposing their view on others

How does Rachels challenge Emotivism?

moral judgements appeal to reasoning not just expressions of feelings

What are the strengths of Emotivism?

• everyone can understand and apply this theory

• opinions are equally valid

• being human is to express emotions especially in moral situations

What are the weaknesses of Emotivism?

• Rachels - moral judgements appeal to reasoning not just expressions of feelings

• MacIntyre - opaque, does not explain how we can distinguish feelings and attitudes

• does not explain how moral views are formed in the first place