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Single Idea 23436

[filed under theme 20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / c. Reasons as causes ]

Full Idea

One would need a very special, very Humean, view about reasons for actions to think a man doesn't have a reason unless he cares.

Gist of Idea

It is an odd Humean view to think a reason to act must always involve caring

Source

Philippa Foot (Interview with Philippa Foot [2003], p.34-5)

Book Ref

-: 'Philosophy Now' [-], p.33


A Reaction

She says she used to believe this, but was wrong. It is hard to imagine acting for reasons if they don't care about anything at all (even that it's their job). But then people just do care about things.


The 9 ideas from 'Interview with Philippa Foot'

Humans need courage like a plant needs roots [Foot]
Human defects are just like plant or animal defects [Foot]
Concepts such as function, welfare, flourishing and interests only apply to living things [Foot]
There is no fact-value gap in 'owls should see in the dark' [Foot]
If you demonstrate the reason to act, there is no further question of 'why should I?' [Foot]
It is an odd Humean view to think a reason to act must always involve caring [Foot]
Full rationality must include morality [Foot]
Practical reason is goodness in choosing actions [Foot]
Principles are not ultimate, but arise from the necessities of human life [Foot]