Definition

The branch of philosophy that examines the nature, meaning, and foundations of ethical concepts and moral judgments.

Example

In her philosophy class, we discussed various theories in metaethics.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of metaethics?

Yeah, I think it's about understanding ethical concepts, right?

Exactly! It dives into what we mean when we talk about right and wrong.

That's pretty interesting; I’d love to learn more about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Metaethics → It is formed from "meta-" (from Greek "μετά", meaning beyond or after) and "ethics" (from Greek "ἠθική", meaning moral principles or character). The term refers to the study of the nature, scope, and meaning of ethical concepts, going beyond the basic principles of ethics.

Memory Tip

Think of 'meta-' meaning 'beyond' and 'ethics' referring to moral principles. This helps you remember that metaethics is about exploring what lies beyond just the rules of right and wrong.

Visually Confused Words