The Origin of the Knowledge of Right and Wrong

By Franz Brentano

Book Overview

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1015654045
• ISBN13: 9781015654044
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: Legare Street Press
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

refreshing common-sense, lacking methodology

Brentano is principally known for the concept of Intentionality that he pioneered, and that is now a prominent issue within the philosophy of the mind (considered a sub-division with an affinity both to metaphysics and philosophy of language). In this book, however, he attempts to give an account of morals. He analyzes mental activities in depth and searches for a source of certainty in moral judgements, as did many before him (the books dates from 1889). He criticizes Kant, adopts and tries to improve on Descartes, and relies on Aristotle. To sum up, the good is what we rightly love, the bad - what we rightly hate. How do we know what is 'rightly' here ? by distinguishing between instinctive, blind mental impulse and wise, higher vision. And how we do that ? well, by virtue of intuitive evidence of the natural light... yes, the same principal Descartes used. Why read it then ? because Brentano makes some fine observations about the activities of the mind; because dealing with his arguments may spur your own understanding; and because he is an important figure in philosophy, historically. Of course, philosophy never completely solved a cardinal problem, and Brentano is no exception. The important thing is what you go through when facing the problems of morality, among others. Don't skip the appendices.