Single Idea 22391

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 1. Deontology]

Full Idea

'One ought to be moral' makes no sense at all unless the 'ought' has the moral subscript, giving a tautology, or else relates morality to some other system such as prudence or etiquette.

Clarification

the moral subscript must say 'according to morality'

Gist of Idea

Saying we 'ought to be moral' makes no sense, unless it relates to some other system

Source

Philippa Foot (Morality as system of hypothetical imperatives [1972], p.169 n18)

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.169


A Reaction

This aims to undercut the Kantian view that morality is an absolute call to duty (filling us with wonder, like the starry heavens). Foot aims to root morality in the real world.