Henry Sidgwick Quotes

• I do not see why the axiom of Prudence should not be questioned, when it conflicts with present inclination, on a ground similar to that on which Egoists refuse to admit the axiom of Rational Benevolence. If the Utilitarian has to answer the question, 'Why should I sacrifice my own happiness for the greater happiness of another?' it must surely be admissible to ask the Egoist 'Why should I sacrifice a present pleasure for a greater one in the future? Why should I concern myself about my own future feelings any more than about the feelings of other persons?'

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  Henry Sidgwick

  Sacrifice   Psychology   Feelings  

  984

• Reason shows me that if my happiness is desirable and good, the equal happiness of any other person must be equally desirable.

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  Henry Sidgwick

  Reason   Equal   Show Me  

  797

• Society is like a schoolmaster who estimates boys according to their conformity to a standard that is easiest for running a school.

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  Henry Sidgwick

  Running   School   Boys  

  4498

• One has to kill a few of one’s natural selves to let the rest grow — a very painful slaughter of innocents.

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  Henry Sidgwick

  Self   Painful   Natural  

  2103

• We think so because all other people think so; Or because-or because-after all, we do think so; Or because we were told so, and think we must think so; Or because we once thought so, and think we still think so; Or because, having thought so, we think we will think so.

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  Henry Sidgwick

  Knowledge   Thinking   People  

  1939

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