Single Idea 20237

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / h. Expressivism]

Full Idea

The history of moral feeling is completely different from the history of moral concepts. The former are powerful before, the latter especially after an action in view of the compulsion to pronounce upon it.

Gist of Idea

Moral feelings are entirely different from the moral concepts used to judge actions

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Dawn (Daybreak) [1881], 034)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Dawn (Daybreak) (v 5)', ed/tr. Smith, Brittain [Stanford 2011], p.29


A Reaction

I think he places the feelings in our animal origins, and the concepts in rather unnatural cultures.