This book investigates the conceptualization of regret within the moral psychology of Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoic school of philosophy. James Warren, a scholar of ancient philosophy, examines how these thinkers integrated the experience of regret into their broader frameworks of virtue, ethical knowledge, and moral development. By analyzing primary texts, the author argues that regret serves as a critical indicator of an individual's ethical state and their capacity for moral growth.

Scholars and students of ancient philosophy frequently cite this work for its precise textual analysis and clear articulation of complex moral theories. Experts highlight the book as a rigorous contribution to the study of Hellenistic and classical ethics.