Metaethics
Ethics
Studies morality, or right and wrong behavior
Moral Realism
Belief that there are moral facts, in the same way that there are scientific facts
Grounding Problem
Search for a foundation for our moral beliefs
Make them clear, objective and unmoving
Moral Antirealism
Belief that moral propositions don't refere to objective features
Nothing about violence that is wrong
Moral Absolutism
Standards against which moral questions can be judged
Moral Relativism
More than one moral position on a given topic can be corrected
Cultural Relativism
Descriptive
People's moral beliefs differ from cultures
Normative
Moral facts differ from cultures
Moral Subjectivism
Moral statements right or wrong, true or false - refer to people's attitudes
Ethical Theories
Starting assumptions, all of our beliefs rest on assumed beliefs
Natural Law Theory
Assumption that God created the universe
Utilitarianism
All beings share a common desire to seek pleasure