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Single Idea 6209

[from 'Human Nature' by Thomas Hobbes, in 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value ]

Full Idea

There is no such thing as absolute goodness, considered without relation: for even the goodness which we apprehend in God Almighty, is his goodness to us.

Gist of Idea

There is no absolute good, for even the goodness of God is goodness to us

Source

Thomas Hobbes (Human Nature [1640], Ch.VII.3)

Book Reference

'British Moralists 1650-1800 Vol. 1', ed/tr. Raphael,D.D. [Hackett 1991], p.5


A Reaction

Plato's view of goodness is much more absolute than that of religion, as he proposes the Good as the eternal underpinning of nature. I agree with Hobbes that if God is the source of goodness, that will prevent goodness from being truly absolute.