Principia Ethica · Character

Henry Sidgwick

The Cambridge ethicist whose 'Methods of Ethics' Moore cites constantly — sometimes as ally, sometimes as the source of a crucial confusion.

supporting

Also known as Prof. Henry Sidgwick, Prof. Sidgwick, Sidgwick, Professor Sidgwick, himself

First appearance: I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics

As a supporting figure in Principia Ethica, Henry Sidgwick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Moore follows Sidgwick's usage of 'Intuitions' for self-evident propositions, but distinguishes his own view from Sidgwick's Intuitionism.

In the storyPreface to the 1903 EditionOpen this moment free

See Henry Sidgwick in Preface to the 1903 Edition Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Sidgwick is Moore's most intimate intellectual interlocutor, cited in footnotes and argued with in the main text, and the one whose terminology Moore borrows even while rejecting the label 'Intuitionist.' Moore credits Sidgwick with recognizing that some ethical propositions are incapable of proof, but insists Sidgwick never grasped the full importance of distinguishing those from propositions about right action. This half-agreement, half-correction makes Sidgwick the book's most productive foil — a thinker close enough to Moore's position to sharpen it, and far enough to require the sharpening.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Henry Sidgwick sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Henry Sidgwick in I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Henry Sidgwick sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Utilitarian and egoist theorists
Protagonist
Hedonistic ethics critics

+3 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

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 reading

Relationships

Jeremy Bentham
professional · ambivalent
Sidgwick is presented as a successor and critic of Bentham's utilitarian calculus,… How this plays out →
The Egoist
rivalry · ambivalent
Jeremy Bentham
professional · ambivalent
Sidgwick is presented as a successor and critic of Bentham's utilitarian calculus,… How this plays out →

Jeremy Bentham
Sidgwick is presented as a successor and critic of Bentham's utilitarian calculus, refining Bentham's ideas within a more rigorous philosophical framework.
The Egoist
Sidgwick famously grapples with the 'dualism of practical reason,' attempting to reconcile egoism with universal benevolence.
Jeremy Bentham
Sidgwick is presented as a successor and critic of Bentham's utilitarian calculus, refining Bentham's ideas within a more rigorous philosophical framework.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Henry Sidgwick in I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics

In the story

Henry Sidgwick appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Preface to the 1903 Edition
Moore follows Sidgwick's usage of 'Intuitions' for self-evident propositions, but distinguishes his own view from Sidgwick's Intuitionism.
Principia Ethica
Critiqued for his version of hedonism.
I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics
Cited as the only ethical writer who clearly recognized that 'good' is indefinable and unanalysable.
III: Hedonism
Recognized for clearly seeing Hedonism as an intuition, but his arguments are ultimately refuted.
VI: The Ideal
Referenced in the discussion of the intrinsic value of the mere existence of beauty; Moore agrees with Sidgwick that such value is negligible compared to the consciousness of beauty.
Endnotes
Referenced for 'Methods of Ethics' passages.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Henry Sidgwick unlock in the free preview.

See Henry Sidgwick in I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics

See Henry Sidgwick in Preface to the 1903 Edition