Ethical Naturalism

Question 1

What is ethical naturalism

Answer 1

Claims that goodness is a natural property within the physical world. It argues morality is rooted in natural qualities or states

Question 2

What does it asserts about ethical language

Answer 2

Naturalism, being a Cognitivism theory, asserts that ethical language expresses beliefs about natural properties. These beliefs can be true or false based on whether something aligns with he natural characteristics of goodness

Question 3

What does ethical naturalism contrast with

Answer 3

Contrasts with moral realism, which posits goodness as an objective but non-natural entities and moral anti-realism, which denies the existence of any moral properties at all

Question 4

Aristolean naturalism
- Key strength
- Explanation

Answer 4

Key strength: Focuses on human potential

Highlights the importance of developing your potential to achieve eudaimonia (flourishing). It’s about living a life that fulfils your natural capabilities

Question 5

Utilitarian naturalism
- Key strength
- Explanation

Answer 5

Key strength: Emphasises happiness and well-being

Utilitarian naturalism prioritises happiness and well being as the highest goods. It suggests we should aim to maximise pleasure minimise pain for the greatest number of people

Question 6

Naturalism’s linguistic claims

Answer 6

Ethical naturalism contents that moral statements refer to natural properties or states in the physical world. This makes ethical language cognitive, expressing beliefs about reality which can be true or false.

Question 7

For naturalists, how are moral judgements verifiable

Answer 7

Through empirical observation of natural properties