Differentiate between Ethical Naturalism and Ethical Non-naturalism.

Ethical Naturalism and Ethical Non-naturalism are contrasting metaethical theories that provide different accounts of the nature and status of ethical properties.

Ethical Naturalism:
Ethical Naturalism asserts that ethical properties are natural properties that can be understood and explained in terms of the natural world. It posits a connection between moral facts and empirical facts about the world. Naturalists often argue that moral properties are reducible to or identical with natural properties, such as biological, psychological, or social facts. Ethical Naturalism aligns with a scientific worldview and claims that ethical truths can be derived from empirical observation.

Key Features of Ethical Naturalism:

1. Moral Facts are Natural Facts: Ethical Naturalism contends that moral facts exist as natural facts in the world. For example, the statement "helping others is good" might be analyzed in terms of the psychological well-being of individuals or the evolutionary advantages of cooperation.

2. Empirical Inquiry: Naturalists advocate for empirical inquiry as a means to uncover and understand moral truths. Scientific methods, observation, and analysis of the natural world are considered valuable tools for ethical inquiry.

Ethical Non-naturalism:
Ethical Non-naturalism, on the other hand, asserts that ethical properties are not reducible to or synonymous with natural properties. Non-naturalists argue that moral facts are irreducibly distinct and cannot be explained solely in terms of empirical or scientific language. Ethical properties, according to non-naturalists, have a sui generis existence and are not grounded in natural or empirical realities.

Key Features of Ethical Non-naturalism:

1. Moral Facts are Irreducible: Ethical Non-naturalism maintains that moral facts cannot be reduced to or defined by natural facts. Moral properties exist independently and cannot be fully captured by empirical descriptions.

2. Intuition and Rationality: Non-naturalists often appeal to intuition and rational reflection as sources of moral knowledge. They argue that moral truths are apprehended through introspection and reflection on the nature of morality itself.

In summary, the primary distinction lies in the relationship between ethical properties and the natural world. Ethical Naturalism posits a close connection, suggesting that moral facts can be explained in terms of natural facts. Ethical Non-naturalism, on the other hand, insists on the irreducibility and distinctness of moral properties, emphasizing their independence from the natural world and the need for non-empirical methods in moral inquiry.