Single Idea 23684

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / b. Rational ethics]

Full Idea

In her early work she also defends moral rationalism, which is the idea that morality gives reasons for action to everyone, even those who lack the desire to do what is right.

Gist of Idea

Morality gives everyone reasons to act, irrespective of their desires

Source

report of Philippa Foot (Moral Beliefs [1959]) by John Hacker-Wright - Philippa Foot's Moral Thought Intro

Book Reference

Hacker-Wright,John: 'Philippa Foot's Moral Thought' [Bloomsbury 2013], p.5


A Reaction

Evidently a rejection of the Humean view that only a desire can motivate action, including moral action. There is an ongoing debate about whether reasons can cause anything, or motivate anything. I think the contents of reasons pull us towards action.

Related Ideas

Idea 23683 Moral norms are objective, connected to facts about human goods [Foot, by Hacker-Wright]

Idea 23685 Reason is not a motivator of morality [Foot, by Hacker-Wright]