The origin and development of the moral ideasWestermarck, Edward
Philosophy
The origin and development of the moral ideas
Westermarck, Edward
Ethics; Ethics -- History; Prehistoric peoples
The error we commit by attributing objectivity to moral estimates
becomes particularly conspicuous when we consider that these estimates
have not only a certain quality, but a certain quantity. There are
different degrees of badness and goodness, a duty may be more or less
stringent, a merit may be smaller or greater.[15] These quantitative
differences are due to the emotional origin of all moral concepts.
Emotions vary in intensity almost indefinitely, and the moral emotions
form no exception to this rule. Indeed, it may be fairly doubted
whether the same mode of conduct ever arouses exactly the same degree
of indignation or approval in any two individuals. Many of these
differences are of course too subtle to be manifested in the moral
judgment; but very frequently the intensity of the emotion is
indicated by special words, or by the way in which the judgment is
pronounced. It should be noticed, however, that the quantity of the
estimate expressed in a moral predicate is not identical with the
intensity of the moral emotion which a certain mode of conduct arouses
on a special occasion. We are liable to feel more indignant if an
injury is committed before our eyes than if we read of it in a
newspaper, and yet we admit that the degree of wrongness is in both
cases the same. The quantity of moral estimates is determined by the
intensity of the emotions which their objects tend to evoke under
exactly similar external circumstances.
[Footnote 15: It will be shown in a following chapter why there are no
degrees of rightness. This concept implies accordance with the moral
law. The adjective "right" means that duty is fulfilled.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account