バートランド・ラッセル『ヒューマン・ソサエティ-倫理学から政治学へ』- Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954
* 原著:Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954* 邦訳書:バートランド・ラッセル(著),勝部真長・長谷川鑛平(共訳)『ヒューマン・ソサエティ-倫理学から政治学へ』(玉川大学出版部,1981年7月刊。268+x pp.)
『ヒューマン・ソサエティ』第6章:道徳的義務 n.26 |
Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, chapter 6: Moral obligation, n.26 | |||
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This, however, does not dispose of the view that, in deciding what is objectively right, certain desires are more relevant than others. Psychologically, I am bound to pursue my own good, that is to say, I shall always act from desire, and the desire is necessarily mine. When we confront the two propositions: (l) I shall pursue my own good, (2) I ought to pursue the general good; it is clear that the second proposition has no practical importance unless there are ways of causing me to desire the general good, or at least to act in ways that promote it. The latter is a question of harmony between public and private interests; it is promoted (or should be) "by the criminal law, the economic system, and the bestowal of praise and blame. But if I desire the general good on its own account, that produces a harmony between my good and the general good independently of the social system; it may therefore be called a "good" desire. And generally, those desires that, by their intrinsic nature and not only in virtue of the social system, cause me to act for the general good, may be called “good” desires, or perhaps better “right” desires. Such desires, accordingly, deserve more moral respect than those that run counter to the general interests of the community. |