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Single Idea 6446
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 3. Universalisability
]
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]
The
22 ideas
with the same theme
[seeing rules for action as universal guidelines]:
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23396
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Mozi condemns partiality, which is the cause of all the great harms in the world
[Mozi]
|
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23397
|
Those who are against impartiality still prefer impartial protectors
[Mozi]
|
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6031
|
The essence of propriety is consistency
[Cicero]
|
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4853
|
Rational people are self-interested, but also desire the same goods for other people
[Spinoza]
|
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4858
|
A rational person will want others to have the goods he seeks for himself
[Spinoza]
|
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8026
|
Almost any precept can be consistently universalized
[MacIntyre on Kant]
|
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6185
|
No one would lend money unless a universal law made it secure, even after death
[Kant]
|
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6187
|
Universality determines the will, and hence extends self-love into altruism
[Kant]
|
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8029
|
You can't have a morality which is supplied by the individual, but is also genuinely universal
[Hegel, by MacIntyre]
|
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20763
|
When my personal freedom becomes involved, I must want freedom for everyone else
[Sartre]
|
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2710
|
Moral judgements must invoke some sort of principle
[Hare]
|
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22409
|
We don't have a duty to ensure that others do their duty
[Williams,B]
|
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4122
|
If the self becomes completely impartial, it no longer has enough identity to worry about its interests
[Williams,B]
|
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4121
|
Why should I think of myself as both the legislator and the citizen who follows the laws?
[Williams,B]
|
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21051
|
Check your rationality by thinking of your opinion pronounced by the supreme court
[Rawls]
|
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6446
|
In ethics we abstract from our identity, but not from our humanity
[Nagel]
|
|
3282
|
The general form of moral reasoning is putting yourself in other people's shoes
[Nagel]
|
|
3294
|
As far as possible we should become instruments to realise what is best from an eternal point of view
[Nagel]
|
|
3254
|
If we can decide how to live after stepping outside of ourselves, we have the basis of a moral theory
[Nagel]
|
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3264
|
We should see others' viewpoints, but not lose touch with our own values
[Nagel]
|
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4285
|
As soon as we drop self-interest and judge impartially, we find ourselves agreeing about conflicts
[Scruton]
|
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15674
|
One can universalise good advice, but that doesn't make it an obligation
[Finlayson]
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