1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910463175203321

Autore

Westacott Emrys

Titolo

The virtues of our vices [[electronic resource] ] : a modest defense of gossip, rudeness, and other bad habits / / Emrys Westacott

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton, : Princeton University Press, c2012

ISBN

9786613246196

1-283-24619-8

1-4008-3950-5

Edizione

[Course Book]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (304 p.)

Disciplina

179/.8

Soggetti

Vices

Conduct of life

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

"A Princeton University Press e-book."--Cover.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1. The Rights and Wrongs of Rudeness -- 2. The Ethics of Gossiping -- 3. On Snobbery: Is It Sinful to Feel Superior? -- 4. "That's not funny-that's sick!" -- 5. Why Should I Respect Your Stupid Opinion? -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Are there times when it's right to be rude? Can we distinguish between good and bad gossip? Am I a snob if I think that NPR listeners are likely to be better informed than devotees of Fox News? Does sick humor do anyone any good? Can I think your beliefs are absurd but still respect you?In The Virtues of Our Vices, philosopher Emrys Westacott takes a fresh look at important everyday ethical questions--and comes up with surprising answers. He makes a compelling argument that some of our most common vices--rudeness, gossip, snobbery, tasteless humor, and disrespect for others' beliefs--often have hidden virtues or serve unappreciated but valuable purposes. For instance, there are times when rudeness may be necessary to help someone with a problem or to convey an important message. Gossip can foster intimacy between friends and curb abuses of power. And dubious humor can alleviate existential anxieties. Engaging, funny, and philosophically



sophisticated, The Virtues of Our Vices challenges us to rethink conventional wisdom when it comes to everyday moral behavior.