Single Idea 6031

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 3. Universalisability]

Full Idea

The whole essence of propriety is quite certainly consistency.

Clarification

'Propriety' is behaving well

Gist of Idea

The essence of propriety is consistency

Source

M. Tullius Cicero (On Duties ('De Officiis') [c.44 BCE], 1.110)

Book Reference

'The Hellenistic Philosophers:Vol.1 translations', ed/tr. Long,A. /Sedley,D. [CUP 1987], p.424


A Reaction

This seems to me the key intuition on which Kant built his deontological ethical theory. However, opponents say the consistency requires principles, and these are the enemies of truly good human behaviour, which involves Aristotle's 'particulars'.