Single Idea 22392

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / e. Ethical cognitivism]

Full Idea

There is a sense in which morality is inescapable - in moral epithets such as 'dishonest', 'unjust', 'uncharitable'; these do not cease to apply to a man because he is indifferent to the ends of morality: they may indeed apply because of his indifference.

Gist of Idea

Morality is inescapable, in descriptive words such as 'dishonest', 'unjust' and 'uncharitable'

Source

Philippa Foot (Morality as system of hypothetical imperatives [1972], p.172 n15)

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.172


A Reaction

Odysseus was admired for lying, and charity wasn't a virtue in the ancient world. They won't go away as factual descriptions, but the values attached to them vary quite a lot.