Single Idea 23282

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / i. Moral luck]

Full Idea

The idea that one's whole life can be immune to luck has not prevailed (e.g. in Christianity), …but its place has been taken by the idea that moral value can be immune, …if it is motive that counts, and in actions it is not worldly changes but intention.

Gist of Idea

If all that matters in morality is motive and intention, that makes moral luck irrelevant

Source

Bernard Williams (Moral Luck [1976], p.20)

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Moral Luck: Papers 1973-1980' [CUP 1981], p.20


A Reaction

[compressed] That is, that Kant offers a way to make luck irrelevant to morality. Williams disagrees, but says at least Kant offers 'solace to a sense of the world's unfairness'.