Single Idea 22379

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / b. Types of good]

Full Idea

There is no describing the evaluative meaning of 'good', evaluation, commending, or anything of the sort, without fixing the object to which they are supposed to be attached.

Gist of Idea

The meaning of 'good' and other evaluations must include the object to which they attach

Source

Philippa Foot (Moral Beliefs [1959], p.112)

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.112


A Reaction

I go further, and say that a specification of the feature(s) of the object that produce the value must also be available (if requested). 'That's a good car, but I've no idea why' makes no sense. 'Apparently that's a good car', if other people know why.