Universal prescriptivism

A philosophy of modified Kantianism, originated by R. M. Hare, who believes that our moral judgments should be of the form "I ought to do X in Y situation," whenever all of the relevant, universal properties of the facts that obtain in any similar situation are the same. This also requires that we take into account the universal properties of the psychological perspectives of the participants, including the "victims" of the action.

Hare would allow utilitarian considerations to enter into such a formulation, but he would not base the formula or his ethical theory solely on a principle of utility.

Hare believes that all of our ethical propositions ought to conform with logic.

Peter Singer has also expressed sympathy with Hare's position, though he is more strictly representative of the utilitarian school.

Universaalipreskriptivismi