Single Idea 21375

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / b. Rational ethics]

Full Idea

Reasonable and vicious are quite consistent with each other, in fact, only through their union are great and far-reaching crimes possible.

Gist of Idea

Reason can be vicious, and great crimes have to be rational

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (On the Basis of Morality [1841], p.83), quoted by Christopher Janaway - Schopenhauer 7 'Against'

Book Reference

Janaway,Christopher: 'Schopenhauer' [OUP 2002], p.90


A Reaction

This is opposed to Kant, who always looks wildly optimistic in his hope that high rationality entails a morally good will. Good people seem to have a fairly irrational empathy with their fellow citizens.