Principia Ethica · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Principia Ethica by G. E. Moore.
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Chapter 1
Epigraph
The chapter presents a single epigraph from Bishop Butler: 'Everything is what it is, And not another thing.' This concise statement establishes a foundational principle of identity and logical clarity, suggesting that things have an intrinsic nature that cannot be reduced to or confused with something else.
Chapter 2
Dedication
The author dedicates this work to his teachers and friends at Cambridge, offering it as a first fruit of his studies.
Chapter 3
Preface to the 1903 Edition
Moore introduces his project of clarifying the fundamental questions of ethics, distinguishing between intrinsic value and right action, and critiquing the confusion that has plagued ethical philosophy. He outlines his method, his debt to Sidgwick and Brentano, and his intention to provide a 'Prolegomena to any future Ethics that can possibly pretend to be scientific.'
Chapter 4
Preface to the 1922 Edition
G. E. Moore notes that the book is reprinted without alteration except for minor corrections, as he still agrees with its main tendency and conclusions, and any substantial revision would require rewriting the entire work.
Chapter 5
Principia Ethica
G. E. Moore introduces his foundational work in ethics, arguing that 'good' is a simple, indefinable notion and identifying the naturalistic fallacy as the error of defining it in natural terms. He critiques hedonism and metaphysical ethics, distinguishes between ethics and conduct, and begins to identify intrinsic goods.
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