Naturalism

What is naturalism?

An ethical theory which argues objective moral principles can be derived from empirical evidence

What do naturalists argue?

Universal moral facts exist and are objectively true, independent of the human mind (consistent with moral realism)

How are ethical terms definable

Using non-ethical natural terms e.g ‘happiness’ or ‘according to purpose’

What is moral language?

Cognitive, meaning it can be determined as true or false

What do moral claims need?

To be measured by some kind of independent standard to be judged as good or bad

How can moral facts be identified?

By observing the natural world to make value judgements (empiricism)

What is happening today?

Science is only concerned with the kind of facts that can be verified through observation and experimentation, hence naturalists argue moral facts must be the same as scientific fact

What is F.H. Bradley’s works?

‘Ethical Studies’ which presents a meta-ethical approach with features of Naturalism, claiming the goal of moral behaviour of self-realisation meaning discovering one’s role within society & the associated duties

What does Bradley call the end goal?

The ‘concrete universal’ which is the realisation of the self as an integrated part of the society that has constructed it

What does he propose?

Ethical statements express propositions about each person’s integral place in society as inseparable from the communities in which they live

What idea does he present?

Individuals are born ‘tabula rasa’, Latin for blank slate meaning there is no part of one’s character at birth that is pre-determined

What does it mean to be moral?

To behave in accordance with the moral traditions of one’s country & educatio; a good act is relative to the setting the individual is in

Quote from Bradley?

“his station…gives him the life which he does live and ought to live.”

Different societies…

have different stations and different duties associated with them; however, to be moral is to desire one’s station & apply the moral system they live in within all situations