Full Idea
In reply to the question of what kinds of approval are expressed by the feelings or attitudes of moral judgments, every version of emotivism either remains silent, or becomes viciously circular by identifying it as moral approval.
Gist of Idea
In trying to explain the type of approval involved, emotivists are either silent, or viciously circular
Source
Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory [1981], Ch. 2)
Book Reference
MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory' [Duckworth 1982], p.12
A Reaction
There seems to be an underlying assumption that moral judgements are sharply separated from other judgements, of which I am not convinced. I approve of creating a beautiful mural for an old folks home free of charge, but it must be beautiful.