RS a level ETHICS - naturalism

content on evaluation

is naturalism cognitive or non-cognitive

cognitive

what does cognitive mean

provable

define naturalism

the absolutist and realist belief that morality is an absolute fact of the natural world that does not change according to time, situations or cultures

4 arguments from Bradley for naturalism

morality is an observable force, comparable to gravity

moral truths are revealed in the natural world in the same way as scientific truths

universal duty to be moral because it is in the human nature to be morally inclined

we can understand our moral duties by observing our role in society

why does empiricism challenge naturalism

naturalism relies on elements of rationalism

what is Hume’s law and conclusion

you cannot go from an “is” to an “ought”; a fact does not create a prescription. no component of morality is factual, it is the creation of human beings

summarise Foots argument (which may be seen as a form of common sense philosophy) in 4 points

moral evil is a natural defect

humans have “good dispositions of will”

virtues are important both teleologically and deontologically

ethical action is real; a qualia type experience

summarise Mackie’s view in 4 points

morality is not absolute or natural, but are a result of institution/culture

Moral rules can be observed but are based on tradition and are not absolute constructs

he is therefore a non-cognitive anti-realist

first and second order views

What is the Naturalistic fallacy and who proposed it

it is an error to derive what is good from a natural quality, such as pleasure. Moore

4 criticisms of ethical naturalism

no room for cultural relativism

naturalistic fallacy

fallacy of cognitive ethics (how can it be proved who is right?)

Moore argues we are unable to define good

2 strengths of ethical naturalism

ethics denotes something real which makes it more meaningful and practical

creates a duty to act according to universal moral truths which may hold positive legal and societal implications

quote from Bradley on roles carrying inherent, observable moral duties

“what he has to do depends on what his place is”