Single Idea 4340

[catalogued under 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 5. Action Dilemmas / a. Dilemmas]

Full Idea

Doing what is, say, dishonest solely in the context of a tragic dilemma does not entail being dishonest, possessing that vice.

Gist of Idea

You are not a dishonest person if a tragic dilemma forces you to do something dishonest

Source

Rosalind Hursthouse (On Virtue Ethics [1999], Ch.3 n8)

Book Reference

Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.73


A Reaction

This seems right, although it mustn't be thought that the dishonesty is thereby excused. Virtuous people find being dishonest very painful.