Final answer:
The three categories under the major divisions of ethics are metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. Metaethics examines the nature of moral values, normative ethics establishes criteria for right or wrong actions, and applied ethics deals with the practical application of moral principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distinguishing Between Categories of Ethics
Within the study of ethics, three main categories are commonly identified: metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. These three fields differ by their specific focus and the level of inquiry they involve. Metaethics explores the nature, origin, and meaning of ethical concepts, examining questions about the objectivity of morality and the foundations of moral values. Normative ethics is concerned with establishing criteria for determining what is right or wrong, often encompassing various ethical theories such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Finally, applied ethics involves the application of moral principles to practical concerns, addressing issues like biomedical ethics, environmental ethics, and business ethics.
Regarding the student's question, the correct answer is A) Metaethics, Normative Ethics, Applied Ethics. These are the three categories classified under the major divisions of ethics, with each playing a distinct role in the broader philosophical discourse on morality.