Single Idea 19956

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / j. Ethics by convention]

Full Idea

The good man is he whose goodness is not Christian, but rather political, in the sense I have given. Such a man loves the laws of his land and is moved to act by them.

Gist of Idea

True goodness is political, and consists of love of and submission to the laws

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], Intro)

Book Reference

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.106


A Reaction

I take this to have a lot in common with Aristotle, whose simple slogan for virtue I take to as 'be a good citizen'.