Principia Ethica · Chapter
Epigraph explained
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 intrin
What happens
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the text declares that we must finally understand what "good"…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Method of Ethical Reasoning
The epigraph underscores the importance of precise definitions and logical clarity in ethical reasoning, rejecting equivocation or reductionism.
Key passages
“Everything is what it is, And not another thing.”
Each thing has its own distinct identity and cannot be mistaken for something else.
This principle of identity serves as a logical foundation for Moore's critique of naturalistic fallacy, where ethical terms are wrongly equated with natural properties.
