Philippa Foot

Philippa Foot 1939

Philippa Foot (1920–2010) was a British philosopher, most renowned for her works in ethics and moral philosophy. She was a significant figure in the 20th-century analytic philosophy, contributing extensively to the debates on moral theory. Foot is best known for her critique of consequentialism and her defense of virtue ethics, drawing heavily from the works of Aristotle. Her approach to ethical theory was markedly distinct from the then-dominant trends, emphasizing the role of virtues and the importance of moral judgments grounded in human life and practices.

Biography

Philippa Ruth Foot was born on October 3, 1920, in Owston Ferry, Lincolnshire, England. She was educated at Somerville College, Oxford, where she read Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). Foot's academic career was largely associated with the University of Oxford and later with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Among her most influential teachers and colleagues were Elizabeth Anscombe and Iris Murdoch, with whom she shared deep intellectual engagements.

Philosophical Work

Foot's philosophical work spans several key areas within moral philosophy, including the nature of ethics, moral judgments, and the critique of moral relativism. However, she is most celebrated for her contributions to virtue ethics and her criticism of consequentialist and deontological theories.

Virtue Ethics

Foot was instrumental in reviving interest in Aristotelian ethics and virtue ethics in the late 20th century. Her book Virtues and Vices (1978) is a collection of essays that explores various moral concepts and virtues, arguing for the centrality of virtues in a well-lived life. Foot challenged the prevalent moral theories of her time by insisting that ethical life is rooted in the human condition, our natural inclinations, and the social context of our lives.

Critique of Consequentialism

Foot is well-known for her critique of consequentialism, particularly utilitarianism. She argued that consequentialist theories fail to account for the moral integrity of individuals, reducing moral decisions to calculations of outcomes. Her famous thought experiment, the "Trolley Problem," illustrates the ethical dilemmas and intuitions that consequentialist theories struggle to address adequately.

Natural Goodness

In her later work, Natural Goodness (2001), Foot further developed her ideas on virtue ethics by introducing the concept of "natural goodness." She argued that judgments of moral goodness are grounded in the life form of a species, drawing parallels between the evaluation of human actions and the assessment of the characteristics and behaviors of other living organisms. This approach marked a significant departure from the dominant moral theories, emphasizing the importance of human nature and the virtues essential for human flourishing.

Legacy

Philippa Foot's contributions to moral philosophy have had a lasting impact on the field. Her revival of virtue ethics and her innovative approaches to ethical theory have influenced a wide range of contemporary philosophers. Foot's work continues to be a central point of reference in discussions on moral judgment, the nature of virtues, and the critique of modern moral theories.

Selected Works

• Virtues and Vices (1978)
• Natural Goodness (2001)

See Also

• Virtue ethics
• Aristotle
• Ethics
• Moral philosophy