Single Idea 7503

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

Full Idea

Plato never speaks of the examination of conscience - never!

Gist of Idea

Plato never refers to examining the conscience

Source

report of Plato (works [c.375 BCE]) by Michel Foucault - On the Genealogy of Ethics p.276

Book Reference

Foucault,Michel: 'Essential Works 1954-1984 I: Ethics', ed/tr. Rabinow,Paul [Penguin 1994], p.276


A Reaction

Plato does imply some sort of self-evident direct knowledge about that nature of a healthy soul. Presumably the full-blown concept of conscience is something given from outside, from God. In 'Euthyphro', Plato asserts the primacy of morality (Idea 337).

Related Idea

Idea 337 It seems that the gods love things because they are pious, rather than making them pious by loving them [Plato]