Ethical naturalism

Definition

Ethical naturalism is the philosophical view that moral values and facts are grounded in natural properties and can be understood through empirical investigation, much like scientific facts. This approach asserts that ethical statements can be true or false based on objective criteria, such as human well-being or societal norms, which are measurable and observable. Ethical naturalism connects moral truths to the natural world, suggesting that understanding ethics involves studying human nature, psychology, and the consequences of actions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ethical naturalism argues that moral claims are not subjective but can be evaluated based on evidence and reasoning similar to scientific claims.
2. This viewpoint often relies on understanding human emotions and experiences as fundamental to determining what is morally right or wrong.
3. Ethical naturalists may draw on various disciplines, such as psychology, biology, and sociology, to understand the foundations of morality.
4. Critics of ethical naturalism argue that it cannot adequately account for the normative aspect of morality—what people ought to do versus what is simply the case.
5. Ethical naturalism can influence debates in moral epistemology by challenging whether moral knowledge is possible without a foundation in natural facts.

Review Questions

• How does ethical naturalism relate to the idea of moral realism?
  • Ethical naturalism supports the idea of moral realism by asserting that moral values exist independently of individual beliefs and can be understood through empirical investigation. It posits that moral statements can be objectively true or false based on natural properties. This connection emphasizes that just as we seek to understand the natural world through science, we can apply similar methods to uncover moral truths.
• Discuss the implications of ethical naturalism on our understanding of moral knowledge.
  • Ethical naturalism suggests that moral knowledge is achievable through the study of human nature and social practices, which implies that ethics is not purely subjective but has a foundation in observable phenomena. This challenges traditional views of ethics as disconnected from reality. By grounding morality in empirical evidence, ethical naturalists argue that we can determine what constitutes right and wrong based on how actions affect human well-being and societal harmony.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of ethical naturalism in explaining the nature of moral values.
  • The strengths of ethical naturalism lie in its reliance on observable facts and its ability to make moral discussions more empirical and grounded in reality. It encourages a scientific approach to ethics, which can lead to clearer understandings of human behavior and well-being. However, its weaknesses include criticisms regarding its inability to capture the normative dimension of morality—how we ought to act—suggesting that simply observing behaviors does not dictate what is morally right. Additionally, critics question whether all moral truths can be reduced to natural facts, indicating potential limitations in this philosophical framework.

Related terms

Moral Realism: The view that there are objective moral facts that exist independently of human beliefs or perceptions.

Utilitarianism:

A consequentialist ethical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being.

Cognitivism:

The philosophical stance that ethical statements express beliefs that can be true or false, rather than mere expressions of emotion or opinion.