This work investigates the nature of virtue by proposing a framework that defines excellence in being as a fundamental orientation toward the good. Robert Merrihew Adams, a prominent philosopher, draws upon historical ethical traditions and contemporary moral theory to argue that virtue is not merely a collection of habits but a deep-seated disposition of the self. He constructs a systematic account of how human excellence relates to the pursuit of objective moral values.

Scholars and philosophers frequently cite this text as a rigorous contribution to contemporary virtue ethics. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those with a background in moral philosophy.