In these modern days, one of main questions awaiting solution in ethics is a need for an understanding of value(moral) words. Accordingly, I, in this paper, deal with the analysis of value terms on the ground of Hare, who is a representative philosoph...
In these modern days, one of main questions awaiting solution in ethics is a need for an understanding of value(moral) words. Accordingly, I, in this paper, deal with the analysis of value terms on the ground of Hare, who is a representative philosopher in the school of ordinary language.
Hare, above all, intends to clarify the meaning of value(mo2·at) terms through logical study by refuting naturalism, intuitionism and emotivism.
Naturalism in ethice holds that value terms are equivalent ion meaning to descriptive aspect, which is definable completely in terms of non-moral words. Here Hare asserts that naturalism is wrong in leaving out the evaluative (proscriptive) element in value terms. Intuitionism in ethics holds that value terms are simple property and self-evident. But Hare maintains that value terms can not be possibly self-evident and simple quality in that the meaning of value terms is independent of the criteria for an application. Moreover, Hare criticizes the theory of emotivism. Emotivism holds that value terms are meaningless because they are calculated to arouse feeling, and to stimulate action. Here again he rejects any type of emotivism.
Hare tries to show that value terms are the combination between evaluative(prescriptive) and descriptive meaning. According to him, evaluative meaning can be a serious, rational activity since it is net completely separated from the descriptive meaning of value terms.
As far as Hare's analysis of value terms is concerned, my opinion is not negative with all his imperfection of argument. I believe that the evaluative (prescriptive) aspect of value terms in ethics must be given emphasis more than ever in order to solve the problems of conduct which become every day more complex and tormenting.