Single Idea 6850

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / c. Purpose of ethics]

Full Idea

One of the most conspicuous things about Wittgenstein is that, on the ethics side, he pared his life down to the minimum, so as to make as central as possible his search for decency, the drive to be a decent person.

Gist of Idea

Wittgenstein pared his life down in his search for decency

Source

Ray Monk (Interview with Baggini and Stangroom [2001], p.14)

Book Reference

Baggini,J/Stangroom,J: 'New British Philosophy' [Routledge 2002], p.14


A Reaction

It rather looks as if decency was quite an effort for him, as he had a rather waspish temperament, and people found it hard to get close to him. On the whole, though, he sounds like good company, as do nearly all the great philosophers.