,PHIL 201 Quiz 8 | Philosophy and Contemporary
Ideas (2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. Which of the following best describes the branch of ethics that explores the answer to the
question, "What grounds moral facts?"
A) Applied ethics
B) Normative ethics
C) Metaethics
D) Descriptive ethics
Correct Answer: Metaethics
Rationale: Metaethics is the branch of ethics that asks nonmoral questions about morality,
such as "What grounds moral facts?" or "What does it mean for something to be good?"
Normative ethics attempts to answer moral questions and settle issues about what to do.
Applied ethics applies normative theories to practical issues.
2. According to simple subjectivism, what does the statement "murder is wrong" mean?
A) Murder is objectively wrong regardless of anyone's opinion
B) The speaker disapproves of murder
C) Murder is wrong because God commands it
D) Murder is wrong because it produces bad consequences
Correct Answer: The speaker disapproves of murder
,Rationale: Simple subjectivism holds that moral statements are reports of the speaker's own
attitudes or feelings. So "murder is wrong" means something like "I disapprove of murder." It
is not a claim about objective moral facts, God's commands, or consequences.
3. Which metaethical theory holds that moral statements are expressions of emotion rather
than truth claims?
A) Cognitivism
B) Emotivism
C) Ethical naturalism
D) Ethical nonnaturalism
Correct Answer: Emotivism
Rationale: Emotivism is a non-cognitivist metaethical theory that holds moral statements are
expressions of emotion. Saying "murder is wrong" is like saying "Boo to murder!" It does not
make a truth claim. Cognitivism, by contrast, holds that moral statements are either true or
false.
4. According to cognitivism, what is the nature of moral statements?
A) They are neither true nor false
B) They are merely expressions of emotion
C) They are held to be either true or false
D) They are commands that cannot be evaluated
Correct Answer: They are held to be either true or false
, Rationale: Cognitivism is the metaethical view that moral statements are propositions that
can be true or false. For example, "murder is wrong" is a truth claim that is either correct or
incorrect. This contrasts with non-cognitivist theories like emotivism.
5. Which of the following is a subjectivist metaethical theory?
A) Ethical naturalism
B) Ethical nonnaturalism
C) Cultural relativism
D) Divine command theory
Correct Answer: Cultural relativism
Rationale: Subjectivist metaethical theories hold that moral truths are dependent on
individual or cultural attitudes. Cultural relativism maintains that moral statements are true or
false relative to the specific groups making them. Objectivist theories hold that moral facts
are mind-independent.
6. If you believe that moral facts are mind-dependent, then you think they are:
A) Objective and universal
B) Dependent on human beliefs or attitudes
C) Grounded in the nature of reality itself
D) Commands from God
Correct Answer: Dependent on human beliefs or attitudes
Ideas (2026) Q&A | Liberty University
1. Which of the following best describes the branch of ethics that explores the answer to the
question, "What grounds moral facts?"
A) Applied ethics
B) Normative ethics
C) Metaethics
D) Descriptive ethics
Correct Answer: Metaethics
Rationale: Metaethics is the branch of ethics that asks nonmoral questions about morality,
such as "What grounds moral facts?" or "What does it mean for something to be good?"
Normative ethics attempts to answer moral questions and settle issues about what to do.
Applied ethics applies normative theories to practical issues.
2. According to simple subjectivism, what does the statement "murder is wrong" mean?
A) Murder is objectively wrong regardless of anyone's opinion
B) The speaker disapproves of murder
C) Murder is wrong because God commands it
D) Murder is wrong because it produces bad consequences
Correct Answer: The speaker disapproves of murder
,Rationale: Simple subjectivism holds that moral statements are reports of the speaker's own
attitudes or feelings. So "murder is wrong" means something like "I disapprove of murder." It
is not a claim about objective moral facts, God's commands, or consequences.
3. Which metaethical theory holds that moral statements are expressions of emotion rather
than truth claims?
A) Cognitivism
B) Emotivism
C) Ethical naturalism
D) Ethical nonnaturalism
Correct Answer: Emotivism
Rationale: Emotivism is a non-cognitivist metaethical theory that holds moral statements are
expressions of emotion. Saying "murder is wrong" is like saying "Boo to murder!" It does not
make a truth claim. Cognitivism, by contrast, holds that moral statements are either true or
false.
4. According to cognitivism, what is the nature of moral statements?
A) They are neither true nor false
B) They are merely expressions of emotion
C) They are held to be either true or false
D) They are commands that cannot be evaluated
Correct Answer: They are held to be either true or false
, Rationale: Cognitivism is the metaethical view that moral statements are propositions that
can be true or false. For example, "murder is wrong" is a truth claim that is either correct or
incorrect. This contrasts with non-cognitivist theories like emotivism.
5. Which of the following is a subjectivist metaethical theory?
A) Ethical naturalism
B) Ethical nonnaturalism
C) Cultural relativism
D) Divine command theory
Correct Answer: Cultural relativism
Rationale: Subjectivist metaethical theories hold that moral truths are dependent on
individual or cultural attitudes. Cultural relativism maintains that moral statements are true or
false relative to the specific groups making them. Objectivist theories hold that moral facts
are mind-independent.
6. If you believe that moral facts are mind-dependent, then you think they are:
A) Objective and universal
B) Dependent on human beliefs or attitudes
C) Grounded in the nature of reality itself
D) Commands from God
Correct Answer: Dependent on human beliefs or attitudes
