Nature of Moral Statements

Abstract

This chapter will explain briefly the various types of statements and then indicate how moral statements can be plausibly interpreted as one or another type of statement. It should be quite evident that the deliberations we are about to undertake are very important. The intelligent person most assuredly is curious about his moral utterances. He not only wants to know how to make moral decisions, but he desires to understand the significance of the statements he uses in arriving at these decisions. Those who happen to be content simply with the ability to use moral principles to make moral judgments perhaps will find this chapter less interesting. Nevertheless, the analysis will unquestionably have its relevance to moral situations. Knowing the nature of a moral statement is important, not so much in the making of a moral decision in a direct fashion as in comprehending what is happening when two people utter incompatible moral statments, especially when these express moral principles or moral judgments. For the necessary steps in solving disagreements are indicated more clearly if we know whether a moral statement is a statement of fact, an emotive expression, or something else.