A Theory of Virtue Excellence in Being for

The distinguished philosopher Robert M. Adams presents a major work on virtue, which is once again a central topic in ethical thought. A Theory of Virtue is a systematic, comprehensive framework for thinking about the moral evaluation of character, proposing that virtue is chiefly a matter of being for what is good, and that virtues must be intrinsically excellent and not just beneficial or useful.

Robert Merrihew Adams is Professor of Philosophy at Mansfield College, University of Oxford

I. WHAT IS VIRTUE?

Introduction

3

(11)

The Subject Matter

3

(3)

Virtue and Right Action

6

(5)

Outline

11

(3)

Excellence in Being for the Good

14

(22)

Being for

15

(4)

The Goods that Virtue is For

19

(4)

Excellence as Criterion of Virtue

23

(8)

Virtue and the Virtues

31

(5)

Wickedness and Vices

36

(12)

Virtue and the Vices

36

(1)

Vices of Weakness and of Excess

37

(1)

Satanic Wickedness

38

(3)

Malice

41

(3)

Vices of Ruthlessness and Indifference

44

(4)

Virtue and its Benefits

48

(17)

Human Flourishing

48

(5)

Variations on Trait Consequentialism

53

(7)

Does Virtue Pay?

60

(5)

II. SELF AND OTHER

Altruism

65

(19)

Does it Matter Whether Altruism is Excellent?

66

(7)

What's so Excellent about Altruism?

73

(4)

Impure Benevolence and Justice as a Virtue

77

(4)

Self-Sacrifice

81

(3)

Common Projects

84

(11)

A Moral Phenomenon to be Explained

84

(2)

Common Projects and Human Good

86

(4)

Common Projects and Altruism

90

(5)

Self-Love and the Vices of Self-Preference

95

(20)

Butler and the Harmony of Self-Love with Benevolence

95

(3)

Selfishness

98

(4)

Self-Centeredness and Vices of Cognitive Self-Preference

102

(3)

Unselfish Self-Love

105

(10)

III. Are There Really Any Virtues?

Moral Inconsistency

115

(29)

Traits and Situations: A Challenge

115

(5)

Direct Behavioral Dispositions

120

(10)

Traits of Motivation and Thought

130

(8)

Affiliations and Social Roles

138

(6)

Moral Frailty and Moral Luck

144

(27)

Situationist Experiments and the Frailty of Virtue

144

(8)

Social Temptations

152

(3)

Can Virtues Be Frail and Dependent?

155

(3)

Moral Luck

158

(3)

Moral Effort and Moral Character

161

(4)

Virtue as Gift

165

(6)

Do the Virtues All Imply Each Other?

171

(29)

The Idea of the Unity of the Virtues

171

(4)

Courage

175

(9)

Wisdom

184

(5)

Benevolence

189

(11)

Plural and Integrated Virtue

200

(12)

Is Virtue Necessarily Complete?

201

(5)

Moral Integration and Virtue

206

(6)

Can Virtue Be Taught?

212

(21)

Elementary Tasks

213

(3)

Modular Tasks

216

(5)

Integrative Tasks

221

(8)

Should Virtue Be Taught?

229

(4)

Bibliography

233

(8)

Index of Virtue and Vices

241

(3)

General Index

244

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A Theory of Virtue Excellence in Being for the Good

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials