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Single Idea 18676

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / c. Objective value ]

Full Idea

It is necessary to consider what things are such that, if they existed by themselves, in absolute isolation, we should yet judge their existence to be good.

Gist of Idea

We should ask what we would judge to be good if it existed in absolute isolation

Source

G.E. Moore (Principia Ethica [1903], §112)

Book Ref

Moore,G.E.: 'Principia Ethica' [CUP 1980], p.187

A Reaction

This is known as the 'isolation test'. The test has an instant appeal, but looks a bit odd after a little thought. The value of most things drains out of them if they are totally isolated. The MS of the Goldberg Variations floating in outer space?

The 14 ideas from 'Principia Ethica'

5925 The three main values are good, right and beauty [Moore,GE, by Ross]
5902 For Moore, 'right' is what produces good [Moore,GE, by Ross]
8039 Moore tries to show that 'good' is indefinable, but doesn't understand what a definition is [MacIntyre on Moore,GE]
22151 The Open Question argument leads to anti-realism and the fact-value distinction [Boulter on Moore,GE]
8033 Moore cannot show why something being good gives us a reason for action [MacIntyre on Moore,GE]
8032 Can learning to recognise a good friend help us to recognise a good watch? [MacIntyre on Moore,GE]
11050 Moore's combination of antinaturalism with strong supervenience on the natural is incoherent [Hanna on Moore,GE]
23726 Despite Moore's caution, non-naturalists incline towards intuitionism [Moore,GE, by Smith,M]
5907 Relationships imply duties to people, not merely the obligation to benefit them [Ross on Moore,GE]
11057 It is always an open question whether anything that is natural is good [Moore,GE]
11056 The naturalistic fallacy claims that natural qualties can define 'good' [Moore,GE]
5903 'Right' means 'cause of good result' (hence 'useful'), so the end does justify the means [Moore,GE]
18676 We should ask what we would judge to be good if it existed in absolute isolation [Moore,GE]
21233 The beautiful is whatever it is intrinsically good to admire [Moore,GE]