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 and that all 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
