Virtue and Vice in General on Superphysics

Moral Distinctions Not Derived From Reason

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Morality is a subject that interests us above all others.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Book 2, Part 3, Section 3 has proven that reason:

Reason is the discovery of truth or falsehood.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Thus, moral good and bad cannot be based on reason since reason cannot make that distinction.

Reason and judgment can be the intermediate cause of an action by directing a passion.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Some assert that:

the sense of morality consists in the discovery of some distinct relation, and
our enumeration was incomplete when we comprehended all demonstrable relations under 4 general heads . I do not know what to reply to this, until someone can point out to me this new relation.

It is impossible to refute a system which has never been explained yet.

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We approve of qualities that benefit mankind because it presents the lively idea of pleasure.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Men seldom love what:

It also rare to meet persons who can pardon another who opposes their interest, even if that opposition is morally correct.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The second remarkable circumstance is that when a person is naturally beneficial, we:

call him virtuous, and
are delighted with his character, even though particular accidents:
- prevent its operation, and
- incapacitate him from being serviceable to his friends and country.

Virtue in rags is still virtue.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Indolence disables a man from making a figure in life.

Indolence does not deprive a man of his parts and capacity.

It only suspends their exercise without any inconvenience to himself, since it is from his own choice.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Vice and virtue are not discoverable merely by reason, or the comparison of ideas.

They are created by some impression or sentiment that enables us to differentiate them.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Book 2 explained that there is a big difference among our pains and pleasures.

Pride and humility, love and hatred are excited when anything presented to us:

Virtue and vice are attended with these circumstances.