more from Harry G. Frankfurt

Single Idea 9233

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value]

Full Idea

Identifying the criteria to be employed in evaluating various ways of living is also tantamount to providing an answer to the question of how to live.

Gist of Idea

Our criteria for evaluating how to live offer an answer to the problem

Source

Harry G. Frankfurt (The Reasons of Love [2005], 1.10)

Book Reference

Frankfurt,Harry G.: 'The Reasons of Love' [Princeton 2006], p.25


A Reaction

Presumably critical reflection is still possible about those criteria, even though he implies that they just arise out of you (in a rather Nietzschean way). The fear is that critical reflection on basic criteria kills in infant in its cradle.