Single Idea 21751

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love]

Full Idea

One cannot reasonably be called upon to love even one's neighbour quite as oneself. Is love to diminish inversely as the square of the distance? Is it to extend to other species than one's own?

Gist of Idea

Love seems to diminish with distance from oneself

Source

Willard Quine (On the Nature of Moral Values [1978], p.65)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Theories and Things' [Harvard 1981], p.65


A Reaction

Quine isn't actually saying that love is inherently egoistic, but that is the implication. The power of my love is at its most powerful when it is closest to home.