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

Recap Summarize in 2 or 3 sentences: a) AJ Ayer’s meta ethics b) CL Stevenson’s meta ethics c) GE Moore’s meta ethics

RM Hare and prescriptivism  Moral judgements are prescriptive (express certain behaviour)  Moral judgements have universal qualities  Ethical statements say what ought to be done  Universal prescriptivism is superior  Everyone should do the same in similar situations  Ethical statements express will/wishes  Moral statements are objective  Moral statements command behaviour

RICHARD HARE’S THEORY RICHARD HARE’S THEORY Richard Hare claimed that ethical statements are not just expressions of our feelings. Richard Hare claimed that ethical statements are not just expressions of our feelings. Moral language is also prescriptive, which means that it tells us how we ought to behave. Moral language is also prescriptive, which means that it tells us how we ought to behave.

Hare’s theory is called prescriptivism.  It prescribes what a person should do.  It is like a doctor’s prescription, in that it will vary from person to person.  When a person says ‘You shall not murder’ this is not just an expression of personal revulsion at the thought of killing.  It also means that everyone should follow this moral truth.

The Universalizability Principle  This is an example of the universalizability principle.  When an individual prefers one thing over something else, this implies that this preference would be good for anybody.  For example: If x prefers to care for a sick person rather than go to the pub, this implies that were x to be sick then he or she would wish someone to act in the same way towards them. If x prefers to care for a sick person rather than go to the pub, this implies that were x to be sick then he or she would wish someone to act in the same way towards them.

Where did Hare’s ideas originate?  Hare’s theory of the universal nature of morals was greatly influenced by events in his life.  He served in the army during WW2 and spent 3 years as a POW in Changi prison and building the Burma-Thailand railway.  The brutality of the Japanese treatment of prisoners deeply affected his attitude to morality.  It was this experience that led him to develop a secular form of the Golden Rule.  He did not believe that the abuse he received could ever be universalizable.

Prescriptivism asserts 4 basic ideas: That moral sentiment is not enough. The individual’s morality must involve doing what is morally required. That moral sentiment is not enough. The individual’s morality must involve doing what is morally required. That ethical action has to be consistent. It is important in all situations to practise a consistent morality. That ethical action has to be consistent. It is important in all situations to practise a consistent morality. That moral belief must be kept in harmony with others. That moral belief must be kept in harmony with others. That the moral agent cannot be hypocritical. That the moral agent cannot be hypocritical.

Debate This house believes ethical statements should not be universalised.