Virtue Ethics

Virtue Ethics: A Contemporary Introduction gives a comprehensive and engaging overview of the central concepts, theories, and debates in contemporary virtue ethics. The book is organized around the central questions that have shaped contemporary virtue ethics:

• What is virtue ethics?
• What makes a trait a virtue?
• Is virtue connected to happiness?
• Can morality be grounded in human nature?
• What does it mean to be well motivated?
• What is practical wisdom?
• What makes an action right or virtuous?
• How should virtue ethics be applied to practical ethical problems?
• Does virtue ethics ultimately rely on moral principles?
• Can it withstand the situationist critique?
• Are we capable of improving our character?
• What role can virtue ethics play in animal and environmental ethics?

This Second Edition has been thoroughly revised, updated, and substantially expanded. It includes a new chapter on Aristotelian ethical naturalism. The discussion of the situationist critique has been restructured into two chapters, incorporating recent developments in moral psychology, practical rationality, and character development.

With chapter summaries, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary of terms, the book serves as an introduction for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.