Theory Of Virtue, a - Excellence In Being For The Good

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. Many recent attempts to stake out a place in moral philosophy for this concern define virtue in terms of its benefits for the virtuous person or for human society more generally. In Part One Adams presents and defends a conception of virtue as intrinsic excellence of character, worth prizing for its own sake and not only for its benefits. In the other two parts he addresses two challenges to the ancient idea of excellence of character.