more from G.E.M. Anscombe

Single Idea 8065

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 1. Deontology]

Full Idea

The moral sense of 'ought' and of what is right should be jettisoned, if possible, because they are survivals from an earlier conception of ethics, and are only harmful without it.

Gist of Idea

'Ought' and 'right' are survivals from earlier ethics, and should be jettisoned

Source

G.E.M. Anscombe (Modern Moral Philosophy [1958], p.175)

Book Reference

'The Is/Ought Question', ed/tr. Hudson,W.H. [Macmillan 1969], p.175


A Reaction

This is part of a revolutionary proposal to return to virtue theory, and has had a great influence (e.g. on me). Richard Taylor gives a good account of how duty lost its social and religious underpinnings. Our duties now seem to be purely contractual.