Single Idea 23035

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / a. Idealistic ethics]

Full Idea

The differentia of the good life …is controlled by the consciousness of there being some perfection which has to be fulfilled, some law which has to be obeyed, something absolutely desirable whatever the individual may for the time desire.

Gist of Idea

The good life aims at perfections, or absolute laws, or what is absolutely desirable

Source

T.H. Green (Prolegomena to Ethics [1882], p.134), quoted by John H. Muirhead - The Service of the State II

Book Reference

Muirhead,John H.: 'The Service of the State: T.H. Green' [John Murray 2021], p.29


A Reaction

The 'perfection' suggests Plato, and the 'law' suggests Kant. The idea that something is 'absolutely desirable' is, I suspect, aimed at the utilitarians, who don't care what is desired. I'm no idealist, but have some sympathy with this idea.