A Small Treatise on the Great Virtues (Paperback)

In this graceful, incisive book, writer-philosopher Andre Comte-Sponville reexamines the classical virtues to help us understand "what we should do, who we should be, and how we should live." In the process, he gives us an entirely new perspective on the value, relevance, and charm of the Western ethical tradition. Drawing on thinkers from Aristotle to Simone Weil, by way of Aquinas, Kant, Rilke, Nietzsche, Spinoza, and Rawls, among others, Comte-Sponville elaborates on the qualities that constitute the essence and excellence of humankind. Starting with politeness-almost a virtue-and ending with love-which transcends all morality-"A Small Treatise" takes us on a tour of the eighteen essential virtues: fidelity, prudence, temperance, courage, justice, generosity, compassion, mercy, gratitude, humility, simplicity, tolerance, purity, gentleness, good faith, and even, surprisingly, humor.
Sophisticated, lucid, and full of wit, this modestly titled yet immensely important work provides an indispensable guide to finding what is right and good in everyday life.

General

Imprint:	Owl Books,U.S.
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	September 2002
First published:	September 2002
Authors:	Andre Comte-Sponville
Translators:	Catherine Temerson
Dimensions:	209 x 136 x 25mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	352
ISBN-13:	978-0-8050-4556-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Western philosophy, c 500 to c 1600 > General Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Ethics & moral philosophy > General Books > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Ethics & moral philosophy > General Books > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Western philosophy, c 500 to c 1600 > General Promotions
LSN:	0-8050-4556-2
Barcode:	9780805045567

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