Single Idea 7991

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature]

Full Idea

Hate and lust for things of nature have their roots in man's lower nature.

Gist of Idea

Hate and lust have their roots in man's lower nature

Source

Anon (Bhag) (The Bhagavad Gita [c.500 BCE], 3.34)

Book Reference

'The Bhagavad Gita', ed/tr. Mascaro,Juan [Penguin 1962], p.59


A Reaction

It seems outmoded now (since Freud) to label parts of human nature as 'higher' and 'lower'. I would defend the distinction, but it is not self-evident. The basis of morality is good citizenship, and parts of our nature are detrimental to that.