1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910785342803321

Autore

Hooft Stan van <1945-, >

Titolo

Understanding virtue ethics / / Stan van Hooft

Pubbl/distr/stampa

London ; ; New York : , : Routledge, , 2014

ISBN

1-317-49402-4

1-317-49403-2

1-315-71213-X

1-282-92166-5

9786612921667

1-84465-370-6

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (v, 184 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Collana

Understanding movements in modern thought

Disciplina

179.9

Soggetti

Virtue

Ethics

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

First published in 2006 by Acumen.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-172) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Distinguishing virtue ethics from the ethics of duty -- Aristotle's ethics -- A brief history of virtue from the Stoics to Levinas -- Reconciling virtue and justice -- Some important virtues -- Virtues and applied ethics.

Sommario/riassunto

More and more philosophers have advocated varieties of virtue-based ethics that challenge moral theory traditionally founded on moral obligation and the delineation of what is right or wrong in given situations. Virtue ethics, which focuses upon the character of moral agents more than on the moral status of their actions or the consequences of those actions, has become one of the most important and stimulating areas of contemporary ethical theory. Understanding Virtue Ethics is an accessible and lively introduction to the subject. It provides a broad overview of the history of virtue ethics from Aristotle to Nietzsche as well as examining the ideas of such contemporary writers as Ricoeur and Levinas. Major themes dealt with by moral theory are examined and how a virtue ethics approach to them differs from those of other traditions is explored. Practical problems of moral complexity such as abortion, euthanasia, and integrity in politics, and



how they might be approached from a virtue perspective are considered. The charges of relativism and egoism that are often mounted against virtue ethics are rebutted and virtues that are especially relevant to contemporary life, namely, courage, taking responsibility, and reverence are examined in depth. Finally, the author argues that virtue ethics is highly relevant to our understanding of the moral dimensions of professional roles.