Question

1. What is a normative statement and how is it different from a descriptive statement? Give an example of a normative moral statement. What happens if one violates a moral norm?

2. What does a moral relativist think about moral truth? Can a relativist say that some actions are morally blameworthy? Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? Explain your answer.

3. What does a moral universalist think about moral values and moral truth? How can a moral universalist allow for cultural diversity and take contextual factors into account for moral evaluation and not fall into relativism? Give a short explanation for your answer.

4. Who was Epicurus? How did Epicurus describe a happy life? Explain in a short paragraph.

5. How does a hedonist describe a good life? How does a hedonist determine what is good, or right? What kind of ethical advice does hedonism give?

Answer 1

A descriptive statement is a claim that describes things as they are and asserts that such-and-such is the case. On the other hand, a normative statement is a claim that makes value judgements and asserts that such-and-such ought to be the case. For example, "Lying to others is morally wrong" would be considered a normative moral statement. There can be several consequences following the violation of a moral norm. One could be internal, in terms feelings of guilt and anxiety, whereas the other could be external such as disapproval from others or even punishment.

Please post the other questions separately as we are supposed to answer just one question or four sub parts of the same question.