# Principia Ethica — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Principia Ethica by G. E. Moore.

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/epigraph.md): 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 t
- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/dedication.md): The author dedicates this work to his teachers and friends at Cambridge, offering it as a first fruit of his studies.
- [Preface to the 1903 Edition](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/preface-to-the-1903-edition.md): Moore introduces his project of clarifying the fundamental questions of ethics, distinguishing between intrinsic value and right action, and critiquing the confusion that has plagued ethical philosophy. He outlines his m
- [Preface to the 1922 Edition](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/preface-to-the-1922-edition.md): G. E. Moore notes that the book is reprinted without alteration except for minor corrections, as he still agrees with its main tendency and conclusions, and any substantial revision would require rewriting the entire wor
- [Principia Ethica](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/principia-ethica.md): G. E. Moore introduces his foundational work in ethics, arguing that 'good' is a simple, indefinable notion and identifying the naturalistic fallacy as the error of defining it in natural terms. He critiques hedonism and
- [I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/i-the-subject-matter-of-ethics.md): Moore introduces the fundamental question of ethics: the nature of 'good' as a simple, indefinable notion. He argues against the naturalistic fallacy—the attempt to define good in terms of natural properties like pleasur
- [II: Naturalistic Ethics](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/ii-naturalistic-ethics.md): Moore critiques naturalistic ethical theories that define 'good' by reference to some natural property, such as 'natural,' 'evolved,' or 'pleasure.' He argues that these commit the naturalistic fallacy by equating goodne
- [III: Hedonism](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/iii-hedonism.md): Moore examines Hedonism, the principle that pleasure is the sole good, arguing it is a form of Naturalistic Ethics rooted in the naturalistic fallacy. He critiques Mill's Utilitarianism for committing this fallacy by equ
- [IV: Metaphysical Ethics](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/iv-metaphysical-ethics.md): Moore critiques metaphysical ethics, arguing that any attempt to derive ethical conclusions from metaphysical truths about supersensible reality commits the naturalistic fallacy. He distinguishes between the fundamental 
- [Ethics in Relation to Conduct](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/v-ethics-in-relation-to-conduct.md): Moore transitions from the theoretical investigation of 'good' to the practical question of what we ought to do. He argues that 'right' means 'cause of a good result,' thus equating rightness with usefulness, and that al
- [VI: The Ideal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/vi-the-ideal.md): Moore concludes his investigation of intrinsic value by defining the class of things that are intrinsically good or evil. He argues that the greatest goods are complex organic unities involving consciousness of an object
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter provides references and citations for the arguments and sources discussed in the main text, including works by Brentano, Sidgwick, Guyau, Spencer, Taylor, Mackenzie, and Kant, among others.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters