Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Philosophy
First Advisor
Eric Wilson
Second Advisor
Timothy O'Keefe
Abstract
Joseph Butler characterizes his account of virtue as fulfilling the “true meaning” of the ancient precept that one ought to revere one’s self. The idea that self-reverence is important to moral conduct opposes a common view that moral conduct involves solely other-regarding attitudes and actions, and it also seems problematic for Butler’s theological commitments as an Anglican Bishop. In this thesis, I provide an interpretation of Butler’s sermons that makes sense of the role self-reverence plays in his moral thought. I argue 1) that self-reverence motivates obedience to conscience, which for Butler, secures virtue, and 2) that for Butler, self-reverence is a genuine obligation that we have. I close by considering reasons why Butler was not more explicit about the importance of self-reverence to virtue.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/16747957
Recommended Citation
Tamariz, Ruby, "Joseph Butler on Self-Reverence as a Moral Duty." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2020.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/16747957
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