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Single Idea 4284

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / a. Preconditions for ethics ]

Full Idea

The three forms of moral life (respect for persons, the pursuit of virtue and natural sympathy) all depend, in the last analysis, on piety, which is the deep-down recognition of our frailty and dependence.

Gist of Idea

All moral life depends ultimately on piety, which is our recognition of our own dependence

Source

Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.56)

Book Ref

Scruton,Roger: 'Animal Rights and Wrongs' [Demos 1996], p.56


A Reaction

MacIntyre agrees. 'Piety' is an odd word, which attempts to link the point to religious teachings. 'Dependence' seems an adequate term. But can fully independent creatures dispense with morality? I think not.