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Full Idea
To force a man to curb his desires, as we do by the criminal law, is not nearly so satisfactory as to cause him genuinely to feel the desires which promote socially harmonious conduct.
Gist of Idea
Legally curbing people's desires is inferior to improving their desires
Source
Bertrand Russell (An Outline of Philosophy [1927], Ch 22)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'An Outline of Philosophy' [Routledge 1979], p.187
A Reaction
It is hard to disagree, but improving the desires of selfish and even vicious people is a rather challenging task.
| 22891 | We could be aware of time if senses briefly vibrated, extending their experience of movement [Russell, by Bardon] |
| 21741 | 'You ought to do p' primarily has emotional content, expressing approval [Russell] |
| 21746 | Unlike hate, all desires can be satisfied by love [Russell] |
| 21747 | Goodness is a combination of love and knowledge [Russell] |
| 21743 | In wartime, happiness is hating the enemy, because it gives the war a purpose [Russell] |
| 21742 | Originally virtue was obedience, to gods, government, or custom [Russell] |
| 21745 | Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires [Russell] |
| 21744 | Legally curbing people's desires is inferior to improving their desires [Russell] |
| 21740 | I doubt whether ethics is part of philosophy [Russell] |