Understanding Virtue Ethics (Understanding Movements in Modern Thought) by Stan van Hooft (22-Nov-2005) Paperback

Understanding Movements in Modern Thought

by Stan van Hooft

Philosophers have increasingly advocated a virtue-based ethics that challenges traditional moral theories founded on moral obligation and delineation of right or wrong in given situations. Stan van Hooft provides a broad overview of the history of virtue ethics from Aristotle to Nietzsche to the ideas of contemporary writers Ricoeur and Levinas. He explores the major themes of moral theory and shows how a virtue ethics approach differs from those of other traditions. Van Hooft considers how morally complex practical problems, such as abortion, euthanasia, and integrity in politics, might be approached from a virtue perspective and addresses the charges of relativism and egoism that are often mounted against virtue ethics, arguing that virtue ethics is highly relevant to our understanding of the moral dimensions of professional roles.

Genres: Philosophy

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Alberto Tebaldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good digression about morality and ethics, but it's fundamentally a theoretical work a bit detached from how actually things work in real life.

[among · Rating 5 out of 5]

zaddy hooft

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

An increasing number of philosophers advocate varieties of virtue-based ethics that challenge moral theory traditionally based on moral obligation and the prescription of what is right or wrong in given situations. Virtue ethics, which has become one of the most important and stimulating areas of contemporary ethical theory, focuses upon the character of moral agents rather than on the moral status of their actions, or the consequences of those actions.

Understanding Virtue Ethics is a well written and lively introduction to the subject. The author 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.

The 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.

The author argues that virtue ethics is also highly relevant to our understanding of the moral dimensions of professional roles citing examples.