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Full Idea
If justice is a virtue it must make action good by disposing its possessor to goodness in practical rationality; the latter consisting of the right recognition of reasons, and corresponding action.
Gist of Idea
Possessing the virtue of justice disposes a person to good practical rationality
Source
Philippa Foot (Rationality and Virtue [1994], p.174)
Book Ref
Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.174
A Reaction
This somewhat inverts Aristotle, who says the possessing of good practical reason is the key to acquiring the virtues. Foot suggests that possessing the virtue promotes the practical rationality. Someone can be sensible without being virtuous.
| 22477 | Calling a knife or farmer or speech or root good does not involve attitudes or feelings [Foot] |
| 22478 | The essential thing is the 'needs' of plants and animals, and their operative parts [Foot] |
| 22479 | Observing justice is necessary to humans, like hunting to wolves or dancing to bees [Foot] |
| 22480 | Possessing the virtue of justice disposes a person to good practical rationality [Foot] |