A* marked essays on Naturalism
Exam board: Wjec eduqas
Theme 1: Naturalism (4 full model essays on this topic)
Essays on:
● "Ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same" (30)
● Explain the view that moral laws exist independently of the human mind (20)
● Explain the view that ethical statements can be verified and falsified (20)
● Explain naturalism with reference to Bradley (20)
"Ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same" (30)
Meta-ethics looks to understand the nature of ethical statements and how
meaningful these are. A form of meta-ethics is Naturalism, which states that moral laws
exist independently of human minds and where “moral properties (such as goodness
and rightness) are identical with ‘natural properties’ (Rachels). Naturalism is an
empirical approach (knowledge gained through the senses)and cognitive (ethical
statements exist independently of human minds). This essay will conclude that ethical
properties and non-ethical properties are not the same, including philosophers such as
F.H. Bradley and A.J. Ayers.
Some may argue that ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same
as there is empirical evidence showing the consequences of good and bad actions is
available to all. In the essay “My Station and its Duties”, F.H. Bradley creates a unique
form of ethical naturalism by uniting Utilitarianism and Kant’s theory of duty. He argues
that ethical statements are both verifiable empirically and relate to the facts of our
world, so we can realise our true self and learn about the family and the community.
Our knowledge of society confirms or denies the claims of ethical propositions to find
one’s station in life, suggesting that ethical decisions are part of the process of self-
realisation. Therefore, ethical and non-ethical properties are the same since it is
universal so individuals can figure out what is good and bad to find their station in life or
their societal role by observation and analysis of the society in which we live.
However, ethical properties and non-ethical properties are not the same. Hume
uses the Is/ought fallacy to claim that ethical propositions are reduced to a mere
explanation of what is happening when identified from natural phenomena. For
example, when a person freely gives money to another who is less fortunate to bring
comfort, a conclusion can be drawn that “it is good for the more fortunate person to
give money to the less fortunate”, but this does not have anything to do with the action.
This means what is happening does not lead to the conclusion of what ought to happen,
and therefore ethical and non-ethical properties are not the same.
Ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same as there is
Exam board: Wjec eduqas
Theme 1: Naturalism (4 full model essays on this topic)
Essays on:
● "Ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same" (30)
● Explain the view that moral laws exist independently of the human mind (20)
● Explain the view that ethical statements can be verified and falsified (20)
● Explain naturalism with reference to Bradley (20)
"Ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same" (30)
Meta-ethics looks to understand the nature of ethical statements and how
meaningful these are. A form of meta-ethics is Naturalism, which states that moral laws
exist independently of human minds and where “moral properties (such as goodness
and rightness) are identical with ‘natural properties’ (Rachels). Naturalism is an
empirical approach (knowledge gained through the senses)and cognitive (ethical
statements exist independently of human minds). This essay will conclude that ethical
properties and non-ethical properties are not the same, including philosophers such as
F.H. Bradley and A.J. Ayers.
Some may argue that ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same
as there is empirical evidence showing the consequences of good and bad actions is
available to all. In the essay “My Station and its Duties”, F.H. Bradley creates a unique
form of ethical naturalism by uniting Utilitarianism and Kant’s theory of duty. He argues
that ethical statements are both verifiable empirically and relate to the facts of our
world, so we can realise our true self and learn about the family and the community.
Our knowledge of society confirms or denies the claims of ethical propositions to find
one’s station in life, suggesting that ethical decisions are part of the process of self-
realisation. Therefore, ethical and non-ethical properties are the same since it is
universal so individuals can figure out what is good and bad to find their station in life or
their societal role by observation and analysis of the society in which we live.
However, ethical properties and non-ethical properties are not the same. Hume
uses the Is/ought fallacy to claim that ethical propositions are reduced to a mere
explanation of what is happening when identified from natural phenomena. For
example, when a person freely gives money to another who is less fortunate to bring
comfort, a conclusion can be drawn that “it is good for the more fortunate person to
give money to the less fortunate”, but this does not have anything to do with the action.
This means what is happening does not lead to the conclusion of what ought to happen,
and therefore ethical and non-ethical properties are not the same.
Ethical properties and non-ethical properties are the same as there is
