Outline Ayer’s emotivism and explain why moral reasoning may present an issue for this theory.
AQA A-Level Philosophy | Paper 1 | 2026 Predicted Paper | Mark Scheme: Question 9
Outline Ayer’s emotivism and explain why moral reasoning may present an issue for this theory.
[12 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
This is a 12-mark AO1 question, so students are being assessed on detailed knowledge and explanation rather than evaluation. They need to give a clear account of Ayer’s emotivism and then explain the specific problem raised by the fact that people appear to reason morally, showing explicitly why this creates difficulty for a non-cognitivist account of ethical language.
For 12-mark questions, AQA rewards answers that are precise, fully integrated and logical, with detailed understanding and accurate philosophical terminology. AQA examiner feedback also stresses that both parts of a two-part 12-marker must be addressed to reach the upper levels.
Levels of response
Marks | Descriptor |
10–12 | The answer is precise, fully integrated and logical. The content is correct and demonstrates detailed understanding. Points are clear and precise, relevance is sustained, and philosophical terminology is used accurately throughout. |
7–9 | The answer is clear, integrated and logical and demonstrates detailed understanding. There may be minor imprecision or some redundancy, but this does not significantly detract from the response. |
4–6 | The answer is largely correct and coherent, with some logical links. There may be gaps, imprecision or insufficient integration between emotivism and the issue of moral reasoning. |
1–3 | Some relevant points are made, but there is little integration. Material may be fragmented, imprecise or partly irrelevant. |
0 | Nothing written worthy of credit. |
These reflect AQA's published level descriptors for 12-mark AO1 questions.
Indicative content
Ayer's emotivism
Students may explain that Ayer's emotivism is both:
non-cognitivist, because moral utterances do not express propositions or beliefs that are true or false
anti-realist, because there are no mind-independent moral properties or facts.
AQA defines emotivism as the view that the function of moral utterances is to express the emotions of the speaker. It is often illustrated through the informal "boo-hoorah" account of moral language.
For example:
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