On Virtue Ethics

On Virtue Ethics presents a comprehensive examination of virtue ethics as a framework for moral philosophy. The book defends virtue ethics against standard objections while demonstrating its practical applications to contemporary ethical issues. Hursthouse structures her argument by first establishing the theoretical foundations of virtue ethics and its relationship to other moral frameworks like deontology and consequentialism. She then moves through key topics including moral education, emotions, and the challenge of providing action guidance. The book engages with real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how virtue ethics can inform decision-making in areas such as abortion, euthanasia, and environmental ethics. Hursthouse addresses criticisms about virtue ethics being too vague or impractical by showing how the approach can generate specific guidance. This work represents an important contribution to moral philosophy by positioning virtue ethics as a viable alternative to dominant ethical theories. The text bridges classical virtue ethics with modern philosophical concerns while maintaining accessibility for readers at various levels of philosophical background.

Readers describe the book as a clear defense of virtue ethics that addresses common objections to the approach. Philosophy students and professors note that Hursthouse explains complex ideas in accessible language while maintaining philosophical rigor. Liked: - Thorough engagement with competing moral theories - Practical examples that illustrate abstract concepts - Strong arguments for virtue ethics' relevance to modern moral questions - Detailed discussion of moral education and character development Disliked: - Dense writing style in some chapters challenges non-philosophy readers - Some find the critiques of other ethical frameworks too dismissive - Limited discussion of non-Western virtue ethics traditions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 reviews) One philosophy professor on Goodreads notes: "Hursthouse offers the most compelling contemporary defense of virtue ethics I've encountered." A critical review on Amazon states: "The writing becomes needlessly complex when discussing action guidance."

After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre A philosophical examination of virtue ethics that traces its historical development and argues for its revival in modern moral philosophy.

Natural Goodness by Philippa Foot This work develops a naturalistic account of virtue and links moral evaluations to natural facts about human life and flourishing.

The Morality of Happiness by Julia Annas An analysis of ancient ethical theories that connects classical concepts of virtue with contemporary moral philosophy.

Character and Moral Psychology by Christian B. Miller A systematic study of character traits and moral behavior that bridges virtue ethics with empirical psychology.

Intelligent Virtue by Julia Annas An exploration of how virtues are developed through practice and habit, connecting ancient Greek concepts with modern psychological insights.

🔹 Rosalind Hursthouse was initially skeptical of virtue ethics but became one of its leading proponents after studying Aristotle's work in depth. 🔹 The book directly challenges the dominance of consequentialism and deontology in modern moral philosophy by presenting virtue ethics as a fully viable third option. 🔹 Published in 1999, "On Virtue Ethics" helped spark a revival of virtue-based approaches to ethics in contemporary philosophy departments. 🔹 Hursthouse draws significantly on the animal world to develop her arguments, using examples of natural behavior to explore how character traits evolve and manifest. 🔹 The book introduces the concept of "v-rules" (virtue rules) as an alternative to traditional moral rules, suggesting actions should be evaluated based on what a virtuous person would do.