Single Idea 4329

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / a. Dilemmas]

Full Idea

When one moral requirement has overriden another in a dilemma, there is still a 'remainder', so that regret, or the recognition of some new requirement, are still appropriate.

Gist of Idea

After a moral dilemma is resolved there is still a 'remainder', requiring (say) regret

Source

Rosalind Hursthouse (On Virtue Ethics [1999], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.44


A Reaction

This is a powerful point on behalf of virtue ethics. There is a correct way to feel about the application of rules and calculations. Judges sleep well at night, but virtuous people may not.