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Chapter
Principles and Rules
DOI link for Principles and Rules
Principles and Rules book
Principles and Rules
DOI link for Principles and Rules
Principles and Rules book
ABSTRACT
Some philosophers have included motive in the definition of right. Others, like J. S. Mill, have excluded it. Both psychologically and ethically these views seem to be inadequate. If motive did indeed mean this, motive could not be called part of the content of duty. Imagine a young Nazi, brought up under the Nazi regime, conditioned to Nazi duty, to ruthlessness, to anti-semitism. It could hardly be such a young Nazi's duty to be kind to Jews from humanitarian motives. There is no escape from careful and responsible individual judgment of what is right, with all the circumstances in mind, in the light of a broad conception of human good. Such an attitude will always take account of the seriousness of rules but will treat them as prima facie, and not as final authorities. The ethical religions have influenced morality, not only among their own adherents, but well outside that circle.