ABSTRACT
Metaethical theory, normative ethical theory and the grand moral theories of traditional philosophy can and should be put on the sidelines when we engage in such philosophizing. Therapeutic conceptual analysis apart stand in the way of resolving, or at best are just irrelevant to the examination of, these problems of human beings and to the development of sound and effective social critique. Metaethics is plainly such a second-order conceptual and philosophical investigation. Philosophy on such a view is thought to be a detached second-order commentary upon first-order judgments and activity. One thing more-and quite distant from a Deweyian problems-of-life conception of philosophy-is the task given to philosophy by linguistic philosophers. Just as philosophy conceived of as conceptual elucidation is a considerable change from traditional philosophy, so metaethics is a considerable shift from traditional moral philosophy.
