Single Idea 5168

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / i. Prescriptivism]

Full Idea

The common objects of moral approval and disapproval are not particular actions so much as classes of actions.

Gist of Idea

Moral approval and disapproval concerns classes of actions, rather than particular actions

Source

A.J. Ayer (Introduction to 'Language Truth and Logic' [1946], p.27)

Book Reference

Ayer,A.J.: 'Language, Truth and Logic' [Penguin 1974], p.27


A Reaction

This 1946 revision of his pure emotivism looks like a move towards Hare's prescriptivism, where classes, rules and principles are seen as the window-dressing of emotivism. It's still a bad theory.