Single Idea 8026

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 3. Universalisability]

Full Idea

With sufficient ingenuity, almost every precept can be consistently universalized.

Gist of Idea

Almost any precept can be consistently universalized

Source

comment on Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals [1785]) by Alasdair MacIntyre - A Short History of Ethics Ch.14

Book Reference

MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'A Short History of Ethics' [Routledge 1967], p.197


A Reaction

A concise statement of J.S.Mill's point (Idea 3762). The point is that Kant seems to allow burglary, as long as you don't complain when you are burgled. What sort of maxim would a suicidal mass murderer being willing to universalize?

Related Idea

Idea 3762 Why couldn't all rational beings accept outrageously immoral rules of conduct? [Mill on Kant]