back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 4004

[from 'Sources of the Self' by Charles Taylor, in 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 4. Categorical Imperative ]

Full Idea

The issue of consistency presupposes intrinsic description.

Clarification

That is, there is one correct way to describe an action

Gist of Idea

Consistency presupposes intrinsic description

Source

Charles Taylor (Sources of the Self [1989], §1.1)

Book Reference

Taylor,Charles: 'Sources of the Self' [CUP 1992], p.7


A Reaction

This may be the key criticism of Kant. The so-called 'maxim' of an action can be almost infinitely re-expressed to suit the agent.