This work investigates the core question of how virtue ethics can provide a practical framework for moral decision-making and action. Rosalind Hursthouse, a prominent philosopher in the field of neo-Aristotelian ethics, draws upon classical philosophical traditions to construct a robust account of how character traits inform human behavior. The book argues that virtue ethics is not merely a theory of character, but a viable guide for determining right action in complex moral situations.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational contribution to the revival of virtue ethics in contemporary philosophy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires careful engagement with the author's logical arguments.