Some problems with virtue theory
Philosophy 82 (2):275-299 (2007)
| Abstract | Abstract: I examine virtue theory, especially as expressed by Rosalind Hursthouse. In its canonical form, the theory claims that living a life of virtue constitutes flourishing, although it also has a possible fall-back claim that a life of virtue is a means to the end of flourishing. I argue that in both interpretations, virtue theory is mistaken. It cannot give any convincing account of how the concepts of wanting, flourishing, and the virtues are connected, nor can it deal adequately with the counter-examples of flourishing by the wicked, and torment for the virtuous. However, I allow that stripped of all its pretensions to universality, there are grounds for some people in some restricted sets circumstances, to follow the path of virtue solely because they will thereby flourish. | |||||||||
| Keywords | virtue theory ethics flourishing Hursthouse | |||||||||
| Categories | ||||||||||
| Options |
|
|||||||||
Download options| PhilPapers Archive |
Upload a copy of this paper Check publisher's policy on self-archival Papers currently archived: 5,865 |
| External links |
 |
| Through your library | Configure |
Similar books and articlesJulia Annas (2011). Intelligent Virtue. OUP Oxford.
Susanne E. Foster (2002). Aristotle and the Environment. Environmental Ethics 24 (4):409-428.
Carla Saenz (2010). Virtue Ethics and the Selection of Children with Impairments: A Reply to Rosalind McDougall. Bioethics 24 (9):499-506.
Rosalind Hursthouse (2007). Environmental Virtue Ethics. In Rebecca L. Walker & P. J. Ivanhoe (eds.), Working Virtue: Virtue Ethics and Contemporary Moral Problems. Oxford University Press.
Daniel A. Putman (1988). Virtue and the Practice of Modern Medicine. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 13 (4):433-443.
Mathew Lu (2011). Abortion and Virtue Ethics. In Stephen Napier (ed.), Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos: A Critical Analysis of Pro-Choice Arguments. Springer.
Rosalind Hursthouse (1999/2001). On Virtue Ethics. Oxford University Press.
Glen Pettigrove (2011). Is Virtue Ethics Self-Effacing? Journal of Ethics 15 (3):191-207.
Robert Hull (2005). All About EVE: A Report on Environmental Virtue Ethics Today. Ethics and the Environment 10 (1):89-110.
Brian Treanor (2008). Narrative Environmental Virtue Ethics. Environmental Ethics 30 (4):361-379.
Analytics
Monthly downloads |
Added to index2009-01-28Total downloads89 ( #8,142 of 556,803 )Recent downloads (6 months)4 ( #20,489 of 556,803 )How can I increase my downloads? |
My notes
Discussion
