Naturalism

Question 1

What is ethical naturalism

Answer 1

Moral terms can be understood by analysing the natural world (empirical)

Question 2

What are the two types of naturalists

Answer 2

• theological naturalists
• hedonistic naturalists

Question 3

What are theological naturalists

Answer 3

• goodness is linked to the will of God as seen in nature. Gods will defines morality: murder is wrong because God commands against murder

Question 4

What are hedonistic naturalists

Answer 4

• the idea that goodness is a fact of pleasure or happiness

Question 5

Naturalists come to ethical conclusions using what ? Refer the theological and hedonistic

Answer 5

• through non ethical elements
  Theological naturalists - Gods will is the non ethical
  Hedonist naturalist - pleasure is the non ethical

Question 6

Weaknesses of naturalism

Answer 6

• too narrow, doesn’t allow critical thinking/ analysis

Question 7

Weaknesses

Answer 7

Could still lead to misinterpretation

Question 8

Weaknesses

Answer 8

It’s impossible to agree what words like ‘good’ means

Question 9

Weaknesses

Answer 9

Just because we see something in nature doesn’t mean we can do it, it may be illegal

Question 10

Weakness

Answer 10

You cannot derive what we ought to do from what is facts

Question 11

Strength

Answer 11

Can be deemed as meaningful through its thorough use of evidence being provided

Question 12

Strength

Answer 12

Contains logical/rational thinking

Question 13

Strength

Answer 13

It is universal

Question 14

Strength

Answer 14

Morality is objective (therefore it’s fairer to all), it’s based on facts rather than opinions

Question 15

Strength

Answer 15

Moral absolutes