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Single Idea 6240

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / c. Ethical intuitionism ]

Full Idea

The moral sense is not an innate idea or knowledge, but a determination of our minds to receive the simple ideas of approbation or condemnation, from actions observed, antecedent to any opinions of advantage or loss to redound to ourselves.

Gist of Idea

The moral sense is not an innate idea, but an ability to approve or disapprove in a disinterested way

Source

Francis Hutcheson (Treatise 2: Virtue or Moral Good [1725], §I.VIII)

Book Ref

'British Moralists 1650-1800 Vol. 1', ed/tr. Raphael,D.D. [Hackett 1991], p.269

A Reaction

This may claim a pure moral intuition, but it is also close to Kantian universalising of the rules for behaviour. It is also a variation on Descartes' 'natural light' of reason. Of course, if we say the ideas are 'received', where are they received from?

The 14 ideas from 'Treatise 2: Virtue or Moral Good'

6238 We approve of actions by a superior moral sense [Hutcheson]
6239 We dislike a traitor, even if they give us great benefit [Hutcheson]
6240 The moral sense is not an innate idea, but an ability to approve or disapprove in a disinterested way [Hutcheson]
6241 Contempt of danger is just madness if it is not in some worthy cause [Hutcheson]
6242 We cannot choose our moral feelings, otherwise bribery could affect them [Hutcheson]
6243 As death approaches, why do we still care about family, friends or country? [Hutcheson]
6244 Human nature seems incapable of universal malice, except what results from self-love [Hutcheson]
6245 That action is best, which procures the greatest happiness for the greatest number [Hutcheson]
6246 My action is not made good by a good effect, if I did not foresee and intend it [Hutcheson]
6247 Everyone feels uneasy when seeing others in pain, unless the others are evil [Hutcheson]
6248 Reason is too slow and doubtful to guide all actions, which need external and moral senses [Hutcheson]
6250 We say God is good if we think everything he does aims at the happiness of his creatures [Hutcheson]
6249 If goodness is constituted by God's will, it is a tautology to say God's will is good [Hutcheson]
6251 The loss of perfect rights causes misery, but the loss of imperfect rights reduces social good [Hutcheson]