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  1. Home
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  3. Understanding Virtue Ethics
  • This book is no longer available to purchase from Cambridge Core
  • Cited by 9
Publisher:
Acumen Publishing
Online publication date:
February 2013
Print publication year:
2005
Online ISBN:
9781844653706
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/UPO9781844653706
Subjects:
Ethics, Philosophy
Series:
Understanding Movements in Modern Thought
Information

Book description

More and more philosophers have advocated varieties of virtue-based ethics that challenge moral theory traditionally founded on moral obligation and the delineation of what is right or wrong in given situations. Virtue ethics, which focuses upon the character of moral agents more than on the moral status of their actions or the consequences of those actions, has become one of the most important and stimulating areas of contemporary ethical theory. Understanding Virtue Ethics is an accessible and lively introduction to the subject. It provides a broad overview of the history of virtue ethics from Aristotle to Nietzsche as well as examining the ideas of such contemporary writers as Ricoeur and Levinas. Major themes dealt with by moral theory are examined and how a virtue ethics approach to them differs from those of other traditions is explored. Practical problems of moral complexity such as abortion, euthanasia, and integrity in politics, and how they might be approached from a virtue perspective are considered. The charges of relativism and egoism that are often mounted against virtue ethics are rebutted and virtues that are especially relevant to contemporary life, namely, courage, taking responsibility, and reverence are examined in depth. Finally, the author argues that virtue ethics is highly relevant to our understanding of the moral dimensions of professional roles.

Reviews

"Clear and concise and with a host of imaginative and well-drawn examples, the book displays an excellent grasp of the main themes in virtue ethics, of the general history of the debate and the more particular histories of the central philosophers, and of recent thinking in the philosophies of psychology and mind."

Michael Brady

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