Philippa Foot
The philosopher who inspired a generation of virtue ethicists.
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.
- Name
- Philippa Foot
- Key Concept
- Trolley Problem
Verified Timeline
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.
In Their Own Story
The source does not provide a narrative or fictional story about Philippa Foot. It only documents her real-world philosophical influence, particularly through her mentorship of Rosalind Hursthouse and her contributions to virtue ethics and ethical naturalism.
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.
Did You Know?
- Philippa Foot was a mentor to Rosalind Hursthouse at Somerville College, Oxford, where Hursthouse read for the BPhil and DPhil.
- 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 on ethical naturalism, though it was published two years before *Natural Goodness*.
- A Festschrift for Foot, titled *Virtues and Reasons* (1995), was co-edited by Hursthouse, Gavin Lawrence, and Warren Quinn.
- Foot's work, alongside Elizabeth Anscombe's 1958 article 'Modern Moral Philosophy,' inspired the contemporary revival of virtue ethics.
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