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Single Idea 22493

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / k. Ethics from nature ]

Full Idea

Lack of capacity to reproduce is a defect in a human being. But choice of childlessness and even celibacy is not thereby shown to be defective choice, because human good is not the same as plant or animal good.

Gist of Idea

Sterility is a human defect, but the choice to be childless is not

Source

Philippa Foot (Natural Goodness [2001], 3)

Book Ref

Foot,Philippa: 'Natural Goodness' [OUP 2003], p.42

A Reaction

Is failure to reproduce a defect in an animal? If goodness and virtue derive from function, it is hard to see how deliberate childlessness could be a human good, even if it is not a defect. Choosing to terminate a hereditary defect seems good.

The 14 ideas from 'Natural Goodness'

23686 Moral reason is not just neutral, because morality is part of the standard of rationality [Foot, by Hacker-Wright]
23687 Moral virtues arise from human nature, as part of what makes us good human beings [Foot, by Hacker-Wright]
22491 Moral evaluations are not separate from facts, but concern particular facts about functioning [Foot]
23693 Practical rationality must weigh both what is morally and what is non-morally required [Foot]
23695 Good actions can never be justified by the good they brings to their agent [Foot]
23694 All criterions of practical rationality derive from goodness of will [Foot]
22492 Virtues are as necessary to humans as stings are to bees [Foot]
22493 Sterility is a human defect, but the choice to be childless is not [Foot]
22496 Wisdom only implies the knowledge achievable in any normal lifetime [Foot]
22495 Someone is a good person because of their rational will, not their body or memory [Foot]
22497 Deep happiness usually comes from the basic things in life [Foot]
22498 Happiness is enjoying the pursuit and attainment of right ends [Foot]
22499 We all know that just pretending to be someone's friend is not the good life [Foot]
22502 Refraining from murder is not made good by authenticity or self-fulfilment [Foot]