Single Idea 19752

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / h. Good as benefit]

Full Idea

If I am obliged not to do any harm to my fellow man, it is less because he is a rational being than because he is a sentient being.

Gist of Idea

If we should not mistreat humans, it is mainly because of sentience, not rationality

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Discourse on the Origin of Inequality [1754], Pref)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.36


A Reaction

How should sentience and rationality be weighted here? Kant demands instrinsic respect for beings on the grounds of their rationality. What could ever justify doing needless harm to anything? An open goal for virtue theory here.