Single Idea 21

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / j. Ethics by convention]

Full Idea

Morally fine and just conduct…involves so much difference and variety that they are widely believed to be such only by convention and not by nature.

Clarification

'Convention' is the Greek word 'nomos', which also translates as 'law'

Gist of Idea

Moral acts are so varied that they must be convention, not nature

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1094b14)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.65


A Reaction

Relativists about morality do typically point to the very diverse standards in different cultures. Critics can point to the huge similarities, when basic human issues are concerned.