metaethics

or met·a-eth·ics

[ met-uh-eth-iks, met-uh-eth- ]

noun

, (usually used with a singular verb)

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

Other Words From

• meta·ethi·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaethics¹

First recorded in 1945–50; meta- + ethics