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Full Idea
Historically, virtue consisted at first of obedience to authority, whether that of the gods, the government, or custom.
Gist of Idea
Originally virtue was obedience, to gods, government, or custom
Source
Bertrand Russell (An Outline of Philosophy [1927], Ch 22)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'An Outline of Philosophy' [Routledge 1979], p.181
A Reaction
Russell proceeds to demolish such a theory, which he finds it fairly easy to do. In Nietzsche's terms, he is only describing slave virtue. Each role in the world has its own virtues (and functions). Which gods are the most virtuous?
22891 | We could be aware of time if senses briefly vibrated, extending their experience of movement [Russell, by Bardon] |
21741 | 'You ought to do p' primarily has emotional content, expressing approval [Russell] |
21746 | Unlike hate, all desires can be satisfied by love [Russell] |
21747 | Goodness is a combination of love and knowledge [Russell] |
21743 | In wartime, happiness is hating the enemy, because it gives the war a purpose [Russell] |
21745 | Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires [Russell] |
21742 | Originally virtue was obedience, to gods, government, or custom [Russell] |
21744 | Legally curbing people's desires is inferior to improving their desires [Russell] |
21740 | I doubt whether ethics is part of philosophy [Russell] |