Metaethics: Crash Course Philosophy

The video explores the domain of ethics and metaethics, discussing the nature of morality and various metaethical views. It presents scenarios to illustrate moral realism and the grounding problem, contrasting it with moral antirealism. The video also covers moral relativism, including cultural relativism, and moral subjectivism. It introduces ethical theories, such as natural law and utilitarianism, highlighting their starting assumptions and moral principles.

What is the primary focus of metaethics?

• The application of ethical theories

• The history of philosophical thought

• The foundations of morality

• The study of cultural norms

Which of the following best describes moral realism?

• Moral facts are similar to scientific facts

• Moral beliefs vary across cultures

• Moral truths are subjective preferences

• Moral statements are based on personal attitudes

What is the grounding problem in ethics?

• The search for a foundation for moral beliefs

• The challenge of defining cultural norms

• The issue of moral progress in societies

• The difficulty in finding a universal moral code

How does normative cultural relativism view moral facts?

• They are based on individual preferences

• They are universal and unchanging

• They are determined by scientific methods

• They differ from culture to culture

What is a key criticism of normative cultural relativism?

• It assumes all cultures are the same

• It makes moral progress meaningless

• It denies the existence of moral facts

• It promotes cultural superiority

What does moral subjectivism assert about moral statements?

• They are culturally determined

• They are universally true

• They are based on objective facts

• They reflect personal attitudes

What role do starting assumptions play in ethical theories?

• They are irrelevant to the theory

• They are universally accepted truths

• They are only applicable to specific cultures

• They form the basis for further beliefs