more on this theme     |     more from this text


Single Idea 7809

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / e. Honour ]

Full Idea

An honour code is one in which the greatest punishment is shame, and in which revenge is a duty.

Gist of Idea

In an honour code shame is the supreme punishment, and revenge is a duty

Source

A.C. Grayling (What is Good? [2003], Ch.2)

Book Ref

Grayling,A.C.: 'What is Good? The Best Way to Live' [Phoenix 2003], p.18


A Reaction

Is this really what Nietzsche wanted to revive? Shame isn't a private matter - it needs solidarity of values in the community, and contempt for dishonour, so that it becomes everyone's worst fear.


The 20 ideas from A.C. Grayling

It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good [Grayling]
War must also have a good chance of success, and be waged with moderation [Grayling]
Russell needed three extra axioms to reduce maths to logic: infinity, choice and reducibility [Grayling]
Two propositions might seem self-evident, but contradict one another [Grayling]
Majority decisions are only acceptable if the minority interests are not vital [Grayling]
Liberty and equality cannot be reconciled [Grayling]
The very concept of democracy entails a need for justice [Grayling]
There should be separate legislative, executive and judicial institutions [Grayling]
A cap on time of service would restrict party control and career ambitions [Grayling]
Experience, sympathy and history are sensible grounds for laying claim to rights [Grayling]
Politics is driven by power cliques [Grayling]
Democracies should require a supermajority for major questions [Grayling]
It is essential for democracy that voting is free and well informed [Grayling]
In an honour code shame is the supreme punishment, and revenge is a duty [Grayling]
In Greek mythology only heroes can go to heaven [Grayling]
Religion gives answers, comforts, creates social order, and panders to superstition [Grayling]
To make an afterlife appealing, this life has to be denigrated [Grayling]
Lucretius was rediscovered in 1417 [Grayling]
If suicide is lawful, but assisting suicide is unlawful, powerless people are denied their rights [Grayling]
The argument from analogy is not a strong inference, since the other being might be an actor or a robot [Grayling]