Author Description
The study of the virtues has largely dropped out of modern philosophy, yet it was the predominant tradition in ethics from the ancient Greeks until Kant. Traditionally the study of the virtues included the study of what constituted a successful and happy life. Drawing on such diverse sources as Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Shakespeare, Hume, Jane Austen, Hegel, Nietzsche, and Sartre, Casey here argues that the classical virtues of courage, temperance, practical wisdom, and justice centrally define the good for humans, and that they are insufficiently acknowledged in modern moral philosophy. He suggests that values of success, worldliness, and pride are active parts of our moral thinking, and that the conflict between these and our equally important Christian inheritance leads to tensions and contradictions in our understanding of the moral life.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical decline of virtue ethics in modern philosophy and argues for the enduring relevance of classical virtues in defining a successful human life. John Casey, a scholar of moral philosophy, synthesizes a wide range of intellectual history to challenge the dominance of Kantian ethics. By examining the interplay between classical ideals and Christian morality, he posits that contemporary moral frameworks suffer from unresolved tensions regarding concepts like pride, success, and worldliness. The work serves as a critical re-evaluation of how human character is constructed within a modern societal context.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A comparative analysis of virtue ethics from Aristotle to modern existentialist thinkers like Sartre.
- A detailed examination of the four classical virtues: courage, temperance, practical wisdom, and justice.
- A philosophical critique of the shift away from character-based ethics in post-Enlightenment thought.
- An exploration of the inherent contradictions between classical pagan values and Christian moral inheritance.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of moral philosophy frequently cite this text as a significant contribution to the revival of virtue ethics. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a strong foundational knowledge of the philosophers discussed to fully appreciate the author's arguments.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
1991-12-19
Publisher:
Clarendon Press
ISBN-10:
0198240031
ISBN-13:
9780198240037
Philosophy
Non-Fiction
Ethics
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