Scholar

C. L. Stevenson

1908–1979 · Developed emotivism: moral statements express and aim to influence attitudes.

Biography

C. L. Stevenson refined emotivism, arguing that moral statements both express the speaker's attitudes and seek to influence the attitudes of others.

Key Ideas

  • Attitudes, not facts.
  • Moral language as persuasion.
  • Emotivism beyond Ayer.

Topics Appearing In

Exam Importance

Pair with Ayer to give a fuller emotivist position in Meta-Ethics.