metaethics

or met·a-eth·ics

[ met-uh-eth-iks, met-uh-eth- ]
/ ˌmɛt əˈɛθ ɪks, ˈmɛt əˌɛθ- /

noun (usually used with a singular verb)

the philosophy of ethics dealing with the meaning of ethical terms, the nature of moral discourse, and the foundations of moral principles.

Origin of metaethics

First recorded in 1945–50; meta- + ethics

OTHER WORDS FROM metaethics

met·a·eth·i·cal, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for meta-ethics

meta-ethics

noun

(functioning as singular) the philosophical study of questions about the nature of ethical judgment as distinct from questions of normative ethics, for example, whether ethical judgments state facts or express attitudes, whether there are objective standards of morality, and how moral judgments can be justified

Derived forms of meta-ethics

meta-ethical, adjective