Naturalism Flashcards
What is naturalism ?
The idea that moral values can be correctly defined by observation of the natural world
What is moral realism ?
The belief that right and wrong actually exist and are real properties
What is cognitivism ?
The belief that moral statements are subject to being true or false
What is Aquinas version of naturalism ?
He says moral values can be worked out by understanding our God given purpose and observing natural order
What is Bradleys naturalism fundamentally ?
That It is possible to understand our moral duties by observing our position or station in life
What was Bradleys quote on the meaning of ethical terms ?
“What he has to do depends on what his place is, what his function is comes from his station in the organism”
What is the utilitarian version of Naturalism ?
Bentham and Mill argue we can discover right and wrong by the feeling of what brings pleasure or pain
What other theory is naturalism closely linked with ?
Absolutism
What may be the case if a thinker believes right and wrong are linked to pleasure or pain ?
There are more relative moral truths, which means varying which could be seen to be more emotive
What links naturalism to natural law ?
The idea that telos is built into the universe
