Single Idea 7262

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / c. Ethical intuitionism]

Full Idea

It is ludicrous to say that we might accept an action is outrageously wrong and still think of this as not in itself giving us good reason to hold back.

Gist of Idea

Obviously judging an action as wrong gives us a reason not to do it

Source

Jonathan Dancy (Intuitionism [1991])

Book Reference

'A Companion to Ethics', ed/tr. Singer,Peter [Blackwell 1993], p.415


A Reaction

If we think of some dreadful man-made famine in a remote continent, our judgement may well give a reason to act, but apathy usually intervenes. We are discussing a purely theoretical motive on the one hand, and an actual motivator on the other.