Single Idea 23690

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

Full Idea

Foot advocates the view that anyone has reason to cultivate the virtues, even if they lack the desire to do so at a given moment.

Gist of Idea

We all have reason to cultivate the virtues, even when we lack the desire

Source

report of Philippa Foot (Moral Beliefs [1959], Pt II) by John Hacker-Wright - Philippa Foot's Moral Thought 2 'Concepts'

Book Reference

Hacker-Wright,John: 'Philippa Foot's Moral Thought' [Bloomsbury 2013], p.49


A Reaction

The view which she soon abandoned, but then returned to later. It specifically repudiates the view of Hume, that only desires can motivate. I'm unsure, because the concept of 'reason' strikes me as too imprecise. She sees self-interest as a reason.

Related Idea

Idea 23694 All criterions of practical rationality derive from goodness of will [Foot]