more from Owen Flanagan

Single Idea 5336

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / a. Normativity]

Full Idea

Ethics is the normative science that studies the objective conditions that lead to flourishing of persons.

Clarification

'Normative' activities lay down rules

Gist of Idea

Ethics is the science of the conditions that lead to human flourishing

Source

Owen Flanagan (The Problem of the Soul [2002], p. 17)

Book Reference

Flanagan,Owen: 'The Problem of the Soul' [Basic Books 2003], p.17


A Reaction

This is a nice slogan for the virtue theory account of the nature of ethics. I think it is the view with which I agree. I am intrigued that he has smuggled the word 'science' in, which is a nice challenge to conventional views of science.