What do we mean by right, good, bad etc. What do we mean by right, good, bad etc. Some basic approaches to meta ethics Intuitionism Intuitionism holds that ethical terms, like 'good' or 'bad' cannot be defined. We must rely on our intuitive understanding of these terms. Explanations of what is 'good' can only be given by example, i.e. by pointing out the kind of things that are 'good' and 'not good'.
Ethical terms are intuitive rather than definitive statements of fact.
From this point of view we cannot derive an 'ought' from an 'is'. Emotivism Ethical statements are not factual and therefore cannot be judged against what 'is'. Ethical statements are expressions of how we feel about facts. They are true or false by reference to our attitudes about actions. Prescriptivism Ethical statements are recommendations for action.