Single Idea 6017

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / j. Ethics by convention]

Full Idea

Nomos is king.

Clarification

'Nomos' means law or convention

Gist of Idea

Nomos is king

Source

Pindar (poems [c.478 BCE], S 169), quoted by Thomas Nagel - The Philosophical Culture

Book Reference

'Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy', ed/tr. Zeyl,Donald J. [Fitzroy Dearborn 1997], p.521


A Reaction

This seems to be the earliest recorded shot in the nomos-physis wars (the debate among sophists about moral relativism). It sounds as if it carries the full relativist burden - that all that matters is what has been locally decreed.