Prescriptivism Prescriptivism

LO: I will understand what RM Hare LO: I will understand what RM Hare meant by prescriptivismmeant by prescriptivism

Homework: Due in for the first lesson Homework: Due in for the first lesson after Christmas.after Christmas.

““prescriptivism is superior”. Discuss prescriptivism is superior”. Discuss

Recap Recap

Summarize in 2 or 3 sentences:Summarize in 2 or 3 sentences:

a)a) AJ Ayer’s meta ethicsAJ Ayer’s meta ethics

b)b) CL Stevenson’s meta ethicsCL Stevenson’s meta ethics

c)c) GE Moore’s meta ethicsGE Moore’s meta ethics

RM Hare and prescriptivism RM Hare and prescriptivism Moral judgements are prescriptive Moral judgements are prescriptive

(express certain behaviour)(express certain behaviour) Moral judgements have universal qualitiesMoral judgements have universal qualities Ethical statements say what ought to be Ethical statements say what ought to be

donedone Universal prescriptivism is superiorUniversal prescriptivism is superior Everyone should do the same in similar Everyone should do the same in similar

situationssituations Ethical statements express will/wishesEthical statements express will/wishes Moral statements are objectiveMoral statements are objective Moral statements command behaviourMoral statements command behaviour

Find out….Find out….

What are Hare’s key books?What are Hare’s key books? How does Hare take Stevenson’s How does Hare take Stevenson’s

work one step further?work one step further? What is Hare’s version of What is Hare’s version of

prescriptivism? prescriptivism? What is Hare’s view of What is Hare’s view of

universalisability?universalisability? Why does Mackie reject Hare’s Why does Mackie reject Hare’s

ideas? ideas?

Further ideas….Further ideas…. What are Hare’s key books?What are Hare’s key books?a)a) ““The language of morals”The language of morals”b)b) ““Freedom and reason”Freedom and reason” How does Hare take Stevenson’s work one step further?How does Hare take Stevenson’s work one step further?Moral judgments are both prescriptive and universal. Moral judgments are both prescriptive and universal. What is Hare’s version of prescriptivism?What is Hare’s version of prescriptivism?a)a) Moral statements have a prescriptive quality. Moral statements have a prescriptive quality. b)b) Moral statements command behaviour. Moral statements command behaviour. What is Hare’s view of universalisability?What is Hare’s view of universalisability?a)a) Reason has a role.Reason has a role.b)b) Moral statements have a universal character.Moral statements have a universal character.c)c) You should pass on this advice to others. You should pass on this advice to others. Why does Mackie reject Hare’s ideas? Why does Mackie reject Hare’s ideas? Our preferences are different, so you cannot universalise Our preferences are different, so you cannot universalise

moral statements. moral statements.

Debate Debate

This house believes This house believes ethical statements ethical statements

should not be should not be universalised. universalised.