There are two principles of established acceptance in…
“There are two principles of established acceptance in morals; first, that self-interest is the mainspring of all of our actions, and secondly, that utility is the test of their value.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Self-interest drives actions, while utility measures their moral worth; morality is judged by the usefulness of outcomes.
In simple terms: Self-interest motivates; usefulness judges morality.
Key Takeaway
Consider both motives and outcomes in ethical decisions.
Themes
ethics
self-interest
utility
morality
philosophy
Mood
critical
philosophical
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
ethical
analytical
When to use this quote
- business ethics
- public policy
- personal decision making
- philanthropy
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
Consequentialism
human motivation
moral evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions balance self-interest with societal good?
- How do we measure utility fairly?
A Different Perspective
Utility can be hard to quantify and may ignore rights.