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Full Idea
Some actions are in accordance with virtue without requiring virtue for their performance, whereas others are both in accordance with virtue and such as to show possession of a virtue.
Gist of Idea
Actions can be in accordance with virtue, but without actually being virtuous
Source
Philippa Foot (Virtues and Vices [1978], p.13)
Book Ref
Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.13
A Reaction
She cites the case of an honest trader, who is honest because of self-interest. She is disentangling Kant from his daft idea that only dutiful (and reluctant) actions are virtuous. Kant was only thinking of 'in accordance' cases.
| 23145 | Virtues are intended to correct design flaws in human beings [Foot, by Driver] |
| 22400 | Courage overcomes the fears which should be overcome, and doesn't overvalue personal safety [Foot] |
| 22398 | Virtues are corrective, to resist temptation or strengthen motivation [Foot] |
| 22402 | Most people think virtues can be displayed in bad actions [Foot] |
| 22403 | Temperance is not a virtue if it results from timidity or excessive puritanism [Foot] |
| 22401 | Actions can be in accordance with virtue, but without actually being virtuous [Foot] |
| 22396 | We take courage, temperance, wisdom and justice as moral, but Aristotle takes wisdom as intellectual [Foot] |
| 22397 | Wisdom is open to all, and not just to the clever or well trained [Foot] |