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Full Idea
Hardly anyone sees any difficulty in the thought that virtues may sometimes be displayed in bad actions. The courage of the villain can be spoken of as quite unproblematic.
Gist of Idea
Most people think virtues can be displayed in bad actions
Source
Philippa Foot (Virtues and Vices [1978], III)
Book Ref
Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.15
A Reaction
She cites Peter Geach as a sole opponent of this view. The courage of the entire German army in WWII seems to fall into this category. The boldness of villains has to impress the virtuous but timid.
| 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] |