Download RM Hare and prescriptivism

Prescriptivism
LO: I will understand what RM Hare
meant by prescriptivism
Homework: Due in for the first lesson
after Christmas.
“prescriptivism is superior”. Discuss
Recap
Summarize in 2 or 3 sentences:
a) AJ Ayer’s meta ethics
b) CL Stevenson’s meta ethics
c)
GE Moore’s meta ethics
RM Hare and prescriptivism
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Moral judgements are prescriptive
(express certain behaviour)
Moral judgements have universal qualities
Ethical statements say what ought to be
done
Universal prescriptivism is superior
Everyone should do the same in similar
situations
Ethical statements express will/wishes
Moral statements are objective
Moral statements command behaviour
Find out….
What are Hare’s key books?
 How does Hare take Stevenson’s
work one step further?
 What is Hare’s version of
prescriptivism?
 What is Hare’s view of
universalisability?
 Why does Mackie reject Hare’s ideas?
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Further ideas….
What are Hare’s key books?
a)
“The language of morals”
b)
“Freedom and reason”
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How does Hare take Stevenson’s work one step further?
Moral judgments are both prescriptive and universal.
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What is Hare’s version of prescriptivism?
a)
Moral statements have a prescriptive quality.
b)
Moral statements command behaviour.
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What is Hare’s view of universalisability?
a)
Reason has a role.
b)
Moral statements have a universal character.
c)
You should pass on this advice to others.
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Why does Mackie reject Hare’s ideas?
Our preferences are different, so you cannot universalise
moral statements.
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Debate
This house believes
ethical statements
should not be
universalised.