The Origin of the Knowledge of Right and Wrong

"The Origin of the Knowledge of Right and Wrong" by Franz Brentano is a philosophical lecture published in the early 20th century. It addresses the intricate connections between ethics, law, and the conception of natural rights, while critiquing contemporary philosophical positions on these topics. This text aims to explore the origins and nature of moral knowledge and to delineate the natural foundations upon which ethical principles stand. The opening of the lecture presents Brentano's invitation from the Vienna Law Society to discuss the aspects of natural right in relation to previous thoughts expressed by fellow jurist Ihering. Brentano outlines his intent to explore the concept of a "natural sanction" for law and morality, clearly differentiating his stance from Ihering's views. He asserts the importance of a universally valid moral law, arguing against the idea of innate moral principles and emphasizing the need for historical and philosophical context in legal studies. This sets the stage for an in-depth examination of ethical concepts that will unfold throughout the discourse.