The disesteem into which moralists have fallen is due at bottom to their failure to see that in an age like this one the function of the moralist is not to exhort men to be good but to elucidate what the good is. The problem of sanctions is secondary.

Summary

This quote suggests that moralists have lost their influence because they have focused too much on urging people to be good, rather than explaining what constitutes goodness. In the modern age, the role of moralists should be to clarify the definition of good, rather than emphasizing punishment or rewards for moral behavior. This quote implies that a deeper understanding of morality is needed in today's society, in order to effectively guide individuals towards ethical choices.

Topics