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』11-02- 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11章:生産と分配 n.2 |
Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, chapter 11: Production and Distribution, n.2 | |||
本質的価値とは何かに関してよりも、分配に関する意見の相違の方が、ずっと多い。本質的価値に関する意見の相違が少ないからこそ、倫理学の基本概念としてふさわしいのである。本質的価値の概念に具体的な内容を与える努力をしよう。
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There is much more disagreement about distribution than as to what constitutes intrinsic value. It is because there is so little disagreement as to intrinsic value that it is suitable as the fundamental concept of ethics. Let us endeavour to give concrete content to the conception of intrinsic value. The first thing to observe is that intrinsic value does not belong to external objects in their own right, but only to their psychological effects. It is states of mind that have the quality in question, and the things that cause these states of mind do not have intrinsic value on their own account. They have value as means for those in whom they produce the desired results, but not for others. Oysters have value as means for those who like them, but not for those who do not. But, although there are some differences between different people as to the things that cause them to feel satisfaction, there is a very large measure of agreement, particularly where the simpler goods are concerned. Everybody requires the conditions of life and health, and most people require the conditions of biological survival. There have been ascetics who were happy, or said they were happy, with insufficient food and drink and shelter and clothing, but such men are rare, and statistically they may be ignored. Most people need for their happiness, in addition to the material conditions of life, a certain amount of friendly companionship, a certain minimum of security, and a sense of integration in some herd. All these needs are so nearly universal that politics can ignore the few who can dispense with them. All these needs are at present very unevenly distributed. There are of course ''higher” values, such as enjoyment of works of art or pleasure in intellectual activity, but these have not the primary importance of the more elementary needs. |