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Meta Ethics

The Naturalistic Fallacy and Non-Naturalism

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on the strengths claimed for naturalism, Moore's naturalistic fallacy, non-naturalism and intuitionism and their weaknesses, and why divine command theory counts as cognitivist.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is the naturalistic fallacy and who identified it?

Key term

What is intuitionism in meta ethics?

Key term

What problem arises when people's moral intuitions conflict?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What advantage does utilitarianism have as a naturalistic theory regarding religious belief?

    Model answer

    It provides a universal standard applicable regardless of religious belief.

  2. 2

    What is the naturalistic fallacy and who identified it?

    Model answer

    The naturalistic fallacy, identified by G.E. Moore, is the logical error of defining good in terms of natural properties.

  3. 3

    Why does the naturalistic fallacy claim that good cannot be equated with pleasure?

    Model answer

    Because good is argued to be a simple, indefinable property that cannot be equated with any natural property such as pleasure.

  4. 4

    What is a weakness of utilitarianism regarding actions commonly considered immoral?

    Model answer

    It may justify actions commonly considered immoral if they maximise overall pleasure.

  5. 5

    According to non-naturalism, can moral properties be explained in terms of empirically observable features of the world?

    Model answer

    No, non-naturalists maintain that moral properties cannot be reduced to natural, empirically observable properties.

  6. 6

    How does non-naturalism differ from naturalism regarding the existence of moral properties?

    Model answer

    Both accept that moral properties are real, but non-naturalism denies that these properties can be reduced to or identified with natural, empirically observable properties.

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AExclusivism holds salvation is available only to Christians.
BInclusivism holds salvation is available through Christ to non-Christians.
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