Single Idea 23431

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / d. Biological ethics]

Full Idea

We describe defects in human beings in the same way as we do defects in plants and animals. …You cannot talk about a river as being defective.

Gist of Idea

Human defects are just like plant or animal defects

Source

Philippa Foot (Interview with Philippa Foot [2003], p.33)

Book Reference

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


A Reaction

This is a much clearer commitment to naturalistic ethics than I have found in her more academic writings. My opinion of Foot (which was already high) went up when I read this interview. …She says vice is a defect of the will.