What is the cognitivist theory of ethics?

Philosophy Metaethics Questions



42 Short 32 Medium 52 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the cognitivist theory of ethics?

The cognitivist theory of ethics is a metaethical position that asserts ethical statements are capable of being objectively true or false. According to this theory, moral judgments express propositions that can be known and understood through reason and evidence. Cognitivists argue that ethical statements are meaningful and can be evaluated based on their truth value, similar to statements in other areas of knowledge. This theory stands in contrast to non-cognitivism, which holds that ethical statements do not express propositions and are instead expressions of emotions, attitudes, or preferences.