Modern scholars - Philippa Foot Flashcards
What was the name of her book in which she wrote her ideas on VE?
‘Vices and Virtues’ (2002)
Why did she argue that virtues are necessary and beneficial?
humans do not get on well without them
being virtuous means an individual may not conform to the conventions of modern society, provoking positive change or highlighting negatives in society e.g. Rosa Parks, Oskar Schindler
Prompt people to act in a way that is beneficial to others
Quote about the necessity of morality?
‘for human beings the teaching and following of morality is necessary’
What did Foot argue was the difference between being virtuous in moral dilemmas compared to in everyday life?
more difficult in moral dilemmas - more willpower required to be virtuous
Why may the lack of focus on moral dilemmas in VE be positive?
looks past outcome of moral dilemmas focuses instead on examining the heart of humans
What makes a virtue virtuous + examples?
used to the right end - loyalty is not a virtue if it is loyalty towards Hitler
right intentions - a scoundrel is still a scoundrel, even if they are strong, healthy and possess all the virtues
What type of virtue did Foot class wisdom as + why?
intellectual + moral
intellectual - knowing something
moral - willing something
need to know the goal and have the will to achieve it
How did Foot view wisdom in terms of intelligence?
ultimate intelligence
How do Foots ideas on wisdom differ from those of Aristotle?
believed that wisdom = no purely intellectual - does not depend on intellectual power
wisdom does not depend on starting in society or political power
Quote regarding the importance of virtues?
‘Nobody can get on well if he lacks courage, and does not have some measure of temperance and wisdom’
What did Foot state about modern philosophers regarding virtues and vices?
have neglected the subject
What did Foot argue regarding equality of virtues?
all virtues are equal
What did Foot argue was the difference between virtues and skills?
act non-virtuously - impacts reputation
make a mistake with a skill - reputation not impacted
What did Foot believe was the difficulty for humans in always acting virtuously?
naturally selfish - more mentally demanding to act in interests of others, rather than just ourselves
What did Foot believe virtues were?
innermost desires + our wish to act on these
What analogy did Foot use to exemplify her view of what virtues are + quote?
scenario of someone saving an injured boy - ‘His action, which could not have been mulled over in his mind, showed a deep, instinctive love of life’
What analogy did Foot use to describe the effect of consistently practicing virtues on character?
analogy of plank of wood - constantly needs to be straightened out after exposure to weather that has caused it to warp out of shape - virtues needed to ‘correct’ and ‘straighten out’ a person’s character
What did Foot believe about the concept of eudaimonia?
cannot be guaranteed that this will be achieved, even if you are perfectly virtuous
however being virtuous can go some way to achieving happiness
What are the strengths of Foot’s arguments?
1) places more emphasis on community than Aristotle did
being virtuous - gives aim and purpose
2) applicable to everyone - religious + non-religious
What are the weaknesses of Foot’s arguments?
1) assumes everyone works towards similar goals - not true to humanity
2) happiness not guaranteed - may not reach eudaimonia
cannot follow virtues constantly
3) may not be applicable to all ages and times
4) everyone would become same person
