Question

Describe the two parts of wisdom, according to Foot. When Foot says that the virtues are “corrective” what does she have in mind? Describe a virtue that benefits the self and a virtue that benefits others. Foot talks about types of cases where virtues, such as courage, do not operate as virtues. Explain what she means by this

Answer 1

I. Wisdom  By Foot :-----

1. The first part of wisdom, the man who does not merely know how to do good thing but must also want to do them.      2. The second part of wisdom, having to do with values, is much harder to describe. Therefore, it is described in terms of apprehension, and even judgment, but since it has to do with a man’s attachments it also characterizes his will.”

II. Virtues as Correctives :----- They have following thing in mind............

• Each one standing at a point at which there is some temptation to be resisted or deficiency of motivation to be made good.
• It is only because fear and the desire for pleasure often operate as temptations that courage and temperance exist as virtues at all.
• If human nature had been different there would have been no need for a corrective disposition in either place, as fear and pleasure would have been good guides to conduct throughout life.
• Virtues are categorized as industriousness as against idleness humility as against the temptation of pride.​

On this view of the virtues benefits the self and a virtue that benefits others depend on what human nature is like. exampe---   Justice and charity are set over against a deficiency in human character. If we would love others as ourselves, we would need no virtue of beneficence. If we would treat our neighbors fairly, we would need no virtue of justice.

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