Single Idea 3954

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / a. Preconditions for ethics]

Full Idea

Sin or moral turpitude doth not consist in the outward physical action or motion, but in the internal deviation of the will from the laws of reason and religion.

Clarification

'Turpitude' is wickedness

Gist of Idea

Immorality is not in the action, but in the deviation of the will from moral law

Source

George Berkeley (Three Dialogues of Hylas and Philonous [1713], III p.227)

Book Reference

Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.227


A Reaction

A Kantian view (that the only good thing is a good will). It is a very empiricist (and anti-Greek) view to deny that actions have any intrinsic value.