# Epigraph explained — Principia Ethica

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

## What happens

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 things have an intrinsic nature that cannot be reduced to or confused with something else.

## Themes in this chapter

### Method of Ethical Reasoning

The epigraph underscores the importance of precise definitions and logical clarity in ethical reasoning, rejecting equivocation or reductionism.

## Key lines

> Everything is what it is, And not another thing.

Each thing has its own distinct identity and cannot be mistaken for something else.

_This principle of identity serves as a logical foundation for Moore's critique of naturalistic fallacy, where ethical terms are wrongly equated with natural properties._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters/epigraph
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/principia_ethica_se/chapters