Man is the 'ethical animal' -ethical in potentiality even if, unfortunately, not in actuality. His capacity for ethical judgment-like freedom, reason and the other unique characteristics of the human being-is based upon his consciousness of himself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humans are capable of ethics but must be conscious to act on it.
- In plain terms
- We can be good, but we need to know ourselves.
- What can you take from it?
- Ethics depends on self-awareness.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you know your own values?
- How do you judge right and wrong?
Another view
It idealizes human potential despite frequent failures.
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