Single Idea 21741

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / h. Expressivism]

Full Idea

A sentence like 'You ought to do so-and-so' primarily has an emotional content. It means ' this is the act towards which I feel the emotion of approval'.

Gist of Idea

'You ought to do p' primarily has emotional content, expressing approval

Source

Bertrand Russell (An Outline of Philosophy [1927], Ch 22)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'An Outline of Philosophy' [Routledge 1979], p.181


A Reaction

I don't understand how I can say 'you ought to do p', and very clearly mean that the situation would be altogether better if p, only to be told by some philosopher that what I thought was a sensible judgement is actually an emotional outburst.