Philippa Foot's Moral Thought

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Philippa Foot (1920-2010) is widely regarded as one of the most important Anglophone moral philosophers of the 20th century. She pioneered a distinctive approach to philosophical treatment of ethics using the tools of analytic philosophy. She defended the objectivity of moral judgment and took controversial positions on abortion and euthanasia. She was also a leading figure behind the revival of Aristotelian virtue ethics in contemporary philosophy. This book represents the first comprehensive and accessible introduction to Foot's work. It offers a complete chronological and thematic overview, emphasising the role Foot played in the development of contemporary virtue ethics. It situates her thought in the context of the historical development of analytic moral philosophy and discusses the various objections to her views. Foot's writings take the form of essays that take up small problems within moral philosophy. Yet John Hacker-Wright argues that there is nevertheless a coherent, systematic moral perspective throughout Foot's work that she does not make fully explicit. This is the ideal introduction for students seeking a synthetic grasp of Foot's moral vision.

Reviews

Hacker-Wright writes with exceptional clarity and concision, interweaving his exegesis of Foot with contemporary criticisms of her views, his responses to them, and his own insights. The result is an invaluably illuminating account of Foot and an excellent text in modern moral philosophy. -- Rosalind Hursthouse, Professor of Philosophy, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Author Bio

John Hacker-Wright is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Guelph, Canada.