Single Idea 20152

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value]

Full Idea

Unconditional commitments are the most basic convictions we have. They tell us what we must not do no matter what, what we regard as outrageous, horrible, beyond the pale, or, in religious language, as sacrilegious.

Gist of Idea

Unconditional commitments are our most basic convictions, saying what must never be done

Source

John Kekes (The Human Condition [2010], 03.3)

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'The Human Condition' [OUP 2010], p.57


A Reaction

The Aztecs should have made rather different unconditional commitments from the ones they ended up with. How do you persuade someone to make such an unconditional commitment. Abortion seems to involve huge clashes here.

Related Idea

Idea 23400 Righteousness is extending the unthinkable, to reveal what must be done [Mengzi (Mencius)]