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Single Idea 22444

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

Full Idea

A moral system seems necessarily to be one aimed at removing particular dangers and securing certain benefits.

Gist of Idea

A moral system must deal with the dangers and benefits of life

Source

Philippa Foot (Morality and Art [1972], p.6)

Book Ref

Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.6


A Reaction

I thoroughly approve of this approach to morality, which anchors it in real life, rather than in ideals or principles of reason.


The 8 ideas with the same theme [why do we have systems of ethics?]:

The only aim of our existence is to grasp that non-existence would be better [Schopenhauer]
The 'Ethics' is disappointing, because it fails to try to justify our duties [Prichard]
At a civilisation's peak values are all that matters, and people unconsciously live by them [Cioran]
A moral system must deal with the dangers and benefits of life [Foot]
The good life for man is the life spent seeking the good life for man [MacIntyre]
Wittgenstein pared his life down in his search for decency [Monk]
Values are an attempt to achieve well-being by bringing contingencies under control [Kekes]
Values help us to control life, by connecting it to what is stable and manageable [Kekes]