Philippa Foot
The philosopher who inspired a generation of virtue ethicists.
via Wikipedia: Rosalind Hursthouse · see source
Philippa Foot was a British-born moral philosopher whose work on virtue ethics and the Trolley Problem has been widely influential. She was a mentor to Rosalind Hursthouse, who studied under her at Somerville College, Oxford, and Foot's manuscript on ethical naturalism was published during her lifetime as Natural Goodness (2001). Hursthouse's On Virtue Ethics (1999) is considered the spiritual successor to Foot's work, though it predates Natural Goodness and was instead influenced by Foot's earlier writings and lectures.
Lore & Background
Philippa Foot was a mentor and lifelong friend to Rosalind Hursthouse, who studied under her at Somerville College, Oxford, while reading for the BPhil and DPhil. Foot's manuscript on ethical naturalism, published during her lifetime as Natural Goodness (2001), is often discussed alongside Hursthouse's On Virtue Ethics (1999), though the latter was published first and drew on Foot's earlier work rather than Natural Goodness itself. Many consider Hursthouse's book to be the spiritual successor to Foot's work, alongside Elizabeth Anscombe's 1958 article 'Modern Moral Philosophy.' Foot's influence is acknowledged in Hursthouse's career, including a Festschrift for Foot titled Virtues and Reasons (1995), co-edited by Hursthouse, Gavin Lawrence, and Warren Quinn.
Reader's Guide
Philippa Foot's work is central to understanding the contemporary revival of virtue ethics, known as the 'aretaic turn.' Her manuscript on ethical naturalism, published posthumously as Natural Goodness (2001), provided a foundation for neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics. Hursthouse's On Virtue Ethics (1999) builds on Foot's ideas, linking morally right action, virtuous character, and human flourishing. Foot's influence extends to debates on moral status, ethical dilemmas, moral emotions, and practical wisdom. Her mentorship of Hursthouse at Oxford, alongside Elizabeth Anscombe, shaped the development of modern virtue ethics.
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