On the Ethics of Naturalism

A philosophical examination maps relations between ethical inquiry and theoretical philosophy, arguing that determining the end of conduct requires a distinct point of view. It analyzes individualistic doctrines such as egoism and psychological hedonism, and traces how they can lead to utilitarian prescriptions while exposing conceptual ambiguities. The role of moral sentiment is considered as an alternative grounding, mediating motives beyond mere pleasure. Evolutionary theory is evaluated for its implications for moral development, including proposed ends like adaptation, variation, or increased life. The text distinguishes causal explanations from teleological justification and interrogates attempts to derive obligation from natural facts, concluding that naturalistic accounts fail to yield an independent ethical ideal without reference to self-conscious normativity.