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Single Idea 9255

[from 'What is the Basis of Moral Obligation?' by H.A. Prichard, in 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty ]

Full Idea

The appreciation of the goodness of the effect is different from desire for the effect, and will originate not the desire but the sense of obligation to produce it.

Gist of Idea

Seeing the goodness of an effect creates the duty to produce it, not the desire

Source

H.A. Prichard (What is the Basis of Moral Obligation? [1925])

Book Reference

Prichard,H.A.: 'Moral Writings' [OUP 2002], p.1


A Reaction

A wonderful rebuttal of Hume, and a much better account of duty than Kant's idea that it arises from reason. Perception of value is what generates duty. And (with Frankfurt) we may say that love is what generates value.