Single Idea 23692

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / d. Virtue theory critique]

Full Idea

Some philosophers insist that dispositions, motives and other 'internal' elements are the primary determinants of moral goodness and badness. I have never been a 'virtue ethicist' is this sense. For me it is what is done that stands in this position.

Gist of Idea

Good and bad are a matter of actions, not of internal dispositions

Source

Philippa Foot (Rationality and Goodness [2004], p.2), quoted by John Hacker-Wright - Philippa Foot's Moral Thought 4 'Virtue'

Book Reference

Hacker-Wright,John: 'Philippa Foot's Moral Thought' [Bloomsbury 2013], p.88


A Reaction

[She mentions Hursthouse, Slote, Swanton] I'm quite struck by this. Aristotle insists that morality concerns actions. It doesn't seem that a person could be a saint by having wonderful dispositions, but doing nothing. Paraplegics?