Single Idea 24010

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / e. Character]

Full Idea

One's conception of an admirable human being implies that he should be disposed to certain kinds of emotional response, and not to others.

Gist of Idea

An admirable human being should have certain kinds of emotional responses

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

So are the good emotions an indicator of being a good person, or is that what their goodness consists of? The goodness must be cashed out in actions, and presumably good emotions both promise good actions, and motivate them.

Related Idea

Idea 24011 Kant thought emotions are too random and passive to be part of morality [Kant, by Williams,B]