Sidgwick and the dualism of practical reason

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review sidgwick’s discussion of his central problem, ’the relation of interest to duty’. it is suggested that he partly misconceives his problem here, and that his real problem is that of a possible conflict between two ethical principles, both of which he regards as self-evident and absolute. then the problem is restated in more contemporary, non-intuitionistic terms, and further discussed. it is contended that sidgwick was correct in thinking that morality and practical reason need a postulate, but possibly not a ’theological’ one.