The Ethical Role of the Impartial Observer

The "observer" approach is investigated as a device for developing ethical theory, not for its use in private moral decision-making. Earlier discussions by Firth, Brandt, Harrison and Aiken of the impartial spectator are related to eighteenth-century British and German ethics using this th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religious ethics
Main Author: Bourke, Vernon J. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 1978
In: Journal of religious ethics
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:The "observer" approach is investigated as a device for developing ethical theory, not for its use in private moral decision-making. Earlier discussions by Firth, Brandt, Harrison and Aiken of the impartial spectator are related to eighteenth-century British and German ethics using this theme, in order to uncover the meanings of the observer theory. Advantages and disadvantages of this approach to ethics are then examined, and the conclusion is that it does not provide a complete basis for ethical discourse but is of limited use in developing some general principles in a ruleethics.
ISSN:1467-9795
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religious ethics