Introduction to Virtue Ethics

An engaging and informative introduction to the birth and development of ethics in western civilization. From Aristotle to Zeno, this volume examines the foundations on which later philosophers built their understandings of the place -- and meaning-of human life.

Raymond J. Devettere teaches health care ethics at Emmanuel College and Boston College.

Introduction

1

(12)

PART ONE: DESIRE, HAPPINESS, AND VIRTUE

The Origin of Ethics

13

(27)

Desires and Impulses

Do People Have Nonrational Desires?

Two Objections

Desires, Impulses, and Good Things

Self-Interest and the Good

The Overriding Good

Plato and the Overriding Good

Aristotle and the Overriding Good

Summary of the Starting Point (the Arche) of Greek Virtue Ethics

Happiness

40

(20)

The Greatest Good Is Happiness

The Prephilosophical Notion of Happiness

The Prephilosophical Definitions of Happiness

Transforming the Prephilosophical Definitions of Happiness

The Philosophical Criteria for Happiness

Is There a Philosophical Definition of Happiness?

Character Virtue

60

(27)

Prephilosophical Ideas about Virtue

Philosophical Conception of Virtue

Three Important Distinctions in Virtue Ethics

Nature of the Authentic Character Virtues

The Number of Character Virtues

Pride, the Forgotten Character Virtue

The Unity of Virtue

PART TWO: PRUDENCE AND CHARACTER VIRTUE

Prudence in Socrates and Plato

87

(20)

Wisdom and Prudence in the Socratic Dialogues

Xenophon's Account of Socrates' Deliberations

Prudence in the Republic

Prudence in the Philebus

Prudence in the Statesman

Prudence in the Laws

Prudence in Aristotle

107

(19)

Prudence in the Rhetoric

Prudence and Authentic Character Virtue

Prudence and Autonomy

Prudence and Prudent People (the phronimoi)

Prudence and Laws

Character Virtue without Prudence?

Prudence in Stoicism

126

(13)

Prudence and Stoic Determinism

Prudence as a Skill

Prudence and the Right Disposition (diathesis)

Prudence in Panaetius

The Stoic Sage (sophos)

Glossary

139

(12)

Selected Greek Virtue Ethicists

151

(4)

Bibliographical Essay

155

(19)

Bibliography

174

(11)

Index

185

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Introduction to Virtue Ethics

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Introduction to Virtue Ethics

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License