Ideas from 'Reply to Professor Frankena' by Philippa Foot [1975], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Virtues and Vices' by Foot,Philippa [Blackwell 1981,0-631-12749-6]].

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23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 4. Categorical Imperative
Moral judgements are hypothetical, because they depend on interests and desires
                        Full Idea: Moral judgements are hypothetical imperatives in the sense that they give reasons for acting only in conjunction with interests and desires.
                        From: Philippa Foot (Reply to Professor Frankena [1975], p.177)
                        A reaction: This is a splendid claim, which points to a more sensibly naturalistic ethics. There seem to be occasions for moral behaviour where I have no interests or desires, such as when a stranger asks me for a favour and I'm feeling tired.