How does emotivism explain moral statements such as “that action is wrong”?

In emotivism, moral statements such as "that action is wrong" are not considered statements of fact and therefore cannot be true or false. Instead, they function as expressions of the speaker's personal feelings of disapproval toward an action.12

Philosophers like A. J. Ayer argued that such statements are akin to a tone of abhorrence. Later, Charles Stevenson expanded this view by suggesting that moral judgments also possess an "emotive impact" intended to influence others. By saying an action is wrong, a speaker is not only venting their own disapproval but also encouraging others to adopt that same attitude.12

Because emotivism posits that moral judgments are grounded in individual preferences rather than objective truths or social standards, it is often categorized as a form of subjectivism. This approach highlights the distinction between conveying factual information and expressing attitudes, suggesting that moral discourse is primarily a tool for social influence rather than a description of reality.23