Single Idea 4183

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / i. Self-interest]

Full Idea

A theory of morals which motivates can only do so by working on self-love, but what springs from this latter has no moral worth.

Gist of Idea

Only self-love can motivate morality, but that also makes it worthless

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (The World as Will and Idea [1819], IV.66)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'The World as Will and Idea', ed/tr. Berman,Jill and David [Everyman 1995], p.230


A Reaction

I just don't believe this pessimism. Schopenhauer was an incipient social darwinist who needed a course in modern game theory. Or he just needed to be a nicer man.

Related Idea

Idea 7833 Spinoza names self-interest as the sole source of value [Spinoza, by Stewart,M]