Book Quote by Nomy Arpaly
“Duties concern things that are voluntary. I do think that if you have a moral duty to bring me back the book you borrowed, that implies, roughly, that your doing so depends on your wanting to do so: if you want to bring me the book, you will. This is not the case if you are stuck at some airport due to a snowstorm, far away from me. This, however, is not the same as "ought" implying a metaphysical "can".”
About This Quote
Source Book: Moral Psychology, 2010 (hypothetical)
Distinguishes between voluntary duties and obligations constrained by circumstances, rejecting a simple “ought‑can” link
In simple terms: Moral duties depend on willingness, not just ability
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of moral expectations
Themes
ethics
voluntariness
duty
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- emergency situations
- legal obligations
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
practical ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it fair to blame someone for failing a duty?
- How should moral responsibility adjust for unavoidable constraints?
A Different Perspective
Not all moral expectations are feasible when external obstacles exist
![“[Altruism] is a moral system which holds that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that service to others is the sole justification of his existence, and that self-sacrifice is his highest moral duty, value and virtue. This is the moral base of collectivism, of all dictatorships.” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f16/ayn-rand-59_altruism_altruism-is-a-moral-system-which-holds-t_311034.jpg)
