ABSTRACT

When you have read this chapter you should:

Realize the multiple ambiguity of the word ‘nature’ and the dangers in not being aware of its different senses.

Be able to assess Mill’s criticism of the attempt to make nature the standard of human conduct, and understand alternative ways in which we may learn from nature.

Understand the problem of arguing from fact, especially from biological fact, to value.

Have grasped the distinction between absolute and relative senses of ‘natural’.