Summary
G.E.M. Anscombe's "Modern Moral Philosophy" argues that modern ethical theories, particularly those relying on the concept of "ought" without a divine lawgiver, are philosophically unsound and effectively meaningless. She contends that the historical and theological underpinnings of moral obligation have been lost, leaving concepts like "ought" as empty pronouncements. This absence, she suggests, necessitates a return to a virtue-based ethics that focuses on character and human flourishing, rather than abstract duties or consequences divorced from a teleological understanding of humanity.
Readers gain an understanding of the philosophical critique of consequentialist and deontological ethical systems that arose from secularization. Anscombe's essay compels a re-evaluation of the foundations of ethics, prompting consideration of what constitutes moral knowledge and the practical implications of abandoning traditional moral concepts. The takeaway is a call to develop a robust, non-religious ethical framework grounded in the nature of human beings.
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Key concepts
- Hypothetical Imperative — A conditional command that obliges action only if a certain condition is met.
- Categorical Imperative — An unconditional command that obliges action regardless of one's desires or goals.
- Virtue Ethics — A moral theory that emphasizes character traits and virtues rather than rules or consequences.
- Moral Obligation — The perceived duty or compulsion to act in a certain way, often linked to an external authority or internal conviction.