Single Idea 24009

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 3. Emotions / g. Controlling emotions]

Full Idea

If moral education does not revolve around what to fear, to be angry about, to despise, and where to draw the line between kindness and a stupid sentimentality - I do not know what it is. (Though there are principles, of truth-telling and justice).

Gist of Idea

Moral education must involve learning about various types of feeling towards things

Source

Bernard Williams (Morality and the emotions [1965], p.225)

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Problems of the Self: Papers 1956-1972' [CUP 1979], p.225


A Reaction

He cites Aristotle as the obvious source of this correct idea. The examples of principle both require us to place a high value on truth and justice, and not just follow rules in the style of arithmetic.