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Full Idea
The supreme moral rule should be: Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires.
Gist of Idea
Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires
Source
Bertrand Russell (An Outline of Philosophy [1927], Ch 22)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'An Outline of Philosophy' [Routledge 1979], p.187
A Reaction
Russell makes no reference to Kant, but this is obviously intended to rebut the more rationalist Kantian view of what is imperative. The use of 'harmonious' chimes in best with Plato's account of the soul in 'Republic'.
Related Idea
Idea 2155 True goodness requires mental unity and harmony [Plato]
| 22891 | We could be aware of time if senses briefly vibrated, extending their experience of movement [Russell, by Bardon] |
| 21745 | Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires [Russell] |
| 21741 | 'You ought to do p' primarily has emotional content, expressing approval [Russell] |
| 21746 | Unlike hate, all desires can be satisfied by love [Russell] |
| 21747 | Goodness is a combination of love and knowledge [Russell] |
| 21743 | In wartime, happiness is hating the enemy, because it gives the war a purpose [Russell] |
| 21742 | Originally virtue was obedience, to gods, government, or custom [Russell] |
| 21744 | Legally curbing people's desires is inferior to improving their desires [Russell] |
| 21740 | I doubt whether ethics is part of philosophy [Russell] |