Naturalism Flashcards
What is ethical naturalism?
The idea that we can discover moral truths by looking at the natural world around us.
What are the three points to ethical naturalism?
- Ethical terms can be explained using the same ‘natural’ terms that we would use to describe maths or science.
- Morals can be based on the same kind of observations of the natural world as in science.
- All ethical statements can be translated into non ethical ones i.e verifiable factual statements
What are the types of naturalist?
Theological and hedonistic
What does a theological naturalist believe?
Goodness is linked to the will of God as seen in nature - God’s will defines morality. Murder is wrong because God commands it. Thomas Aquinas
What does a hedonistic naturalist believe?
We can observe what is right and wrong by observing what causes pleasure and pain.
What does hedonist R.B Perry say?
Good means to be an object of favourable interest and right means to be conductive of harmonious happiness.
What did F.H Bradley think?
A moral perspective was determined by real realisation and observing one’s place in society.
Why did Bradley reject hedonism?
He said that pleasure provides no final self understanding.
How does naturalism not allow for moral dispute?
If something is ‘good’ then it is because the majority feel this way. The statement cannot be disputed by another person as it is still correct as it is the opinion and attitude of a society at a particular time.
Give a challenge to naturalism.
For naturalists, good doesn’t really exist on its own. It is in the form of pleasure or God’s will for example.
