 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
We can now set up a series of fundamental propositions and definitions in Ethics.
(l) Surveying the acts which arouse emotions of approval or disapproval, we find that, as a general rule, the acts which are approved of are those believed likely to have, on the balance, effects of certain kinds, while opposite effects are expected from acts that are disapproved of.
(2) Effects that lead to approval are defined as “good”, and those leading to disapproval as “bad”.
(3) An act of which, on the available evidence, the effects are likely to be better than those of any other act that is possible in the circumstances, is defined as “right”; any other act is “wrong”. What we “ought” to do is, by definition, the act which is right.
(4) It is right to feel approval of a right act and disapproval of a wrong act.
Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, chapter 9:Is there Ethical knowledge, n.11
More info.:https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-0911.htm
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There is quite a difference between asserting that something is "right" or "wrong" out of emotion and defining "right" or "wrong" and then asserting so. Of course, if the definition is not a good one, then it needs to be reconsidered. In most cases, it is better to act with an expectation of the outcome (effect) than to act without considering the outcome because of feelings of approval or disapproval (approval or disapproval). Of course, since we do not know the outcome from the beginning, we have no choice but to predict the outcome, but if our prediction is wrong, we should reflect on it and predict more carefully the next time. Those who can make many predictions about what effects (results) an action will have can be said to be wise. However, many people are too lazy to think, and are surprised when a bad effect (result) occurs, saying that it is "unexpected. They often do not "assume" because they do not want to "assume" or because it is too much trouble to "assume," and they think that if it is "unexpected," they will be forgiven for their sins.
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