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Full Idea
In pursuit of the kind of objectivity needed in the physical sciences, we abstract even from our humanity; but nothing further than abstraction from our identity (that is, who we are) enters into ethical theory.
Gist of Idea
In ethics we abstract from our identity, but not from our humanity
Source
Thomas Nagel (Equality and Partiality [1991], Ch.2)
Book Ref
Nagel,Thomas: 'Equality and Partiality' [OUP 1995], p.10
A Reaction
The 'brief' summary of this boils down to a nice and interesting slogan. It epitomises the modern Kantian approach to ethics. But compare Idea 4122, from Bernard Williams.
Related Idea
Idea 4122 If the self becomes completely impartial, it no longer has enough identity to worry about its interests [Williams,B]
| 6479 | Noninterference requires justification as much as interference does [Nagel] |
| 6446 | In ethics we abstract from our identity, but not from our humanity [Nagel] |
| 6448 | A legitimate system is one accepted as both impartial and reasonably partial [Nagel] |
| 6447 | Game theory misses out the motivation arising from the impersonal standpoint [Nagel] |
| 6477 | I can only universalise a maxim if everyone else could also universalise it [Nagel] |
| 6450 | Morality must be motivating, and not because of pre-moral motives [Nagel] |
| 6478 | Democracy is opposed to equality, if the poor are not a majority [Nagel] |