Virtue ethics is perhaps the most important development within late twentieth-century moral philosophy. Rosalind Hursthouse, who has made notable contributions to this development, now presents a full exposition and defence of her neo-Aristotelian version of virtue ethics. She shows how virtue ethics can provide guidance for action, illuminate moral dilemmas, and bring out the moral significance of the emotions. Deliberately avoiding a combative stance, she finds less disagreement between Kantian and neo-Aristotelian approaches than is usual, and she offers the first account from a virtue ethics perspective of acting 'from a sense of duty'. She considers the question which character traits are virtues, and explores how answers to this question can be justified by appeal to facts about human nature. Written in a clear, engaging style which makes it accessible to non-specialists, On Virtue Ethics will appeal to anyone with an interest in moral philosophy.

An introductory textbook on the ethics of our treatment of animals. Written for the Open University but specially revised here for non-OU students, it introduces readers step by step to the skills required for thinking clearly about our treatment of animals. It is ideally suited to those confronting philosophy and ethical problems for the first time. With the beginner firmly in mind, each chapter introduces one of three standard approaches in ethical theory: utilitarianism, rights and virtue ethics. Rosalind Hursthouse explains how each approach encourages us to think about our treatment of animals. Each chapter is then linked to a reading from a key exponent of each approach, such as Peter Singer, and asks students to think critically about the readings for themselves.;The book aims to equip students with the key skills necessary for thinking about our treatment of animals. By the end of the book students should be able to: understand and evaluate for themselves arguments about our treatment of animals; critically discuss some of the key approaches in ethical theory; and appraise the writings of key thinkers who have influenced thinking about our treatment of animals. Key features

This introductory textbook is ideally suited to newcomers to philosophy and ethical problems.
Rosalind Hursthouse carefully introduces the three standard approaches in current ethical theory: utilitarianism, rights, and virtue ethics. She links each chapter to readings from key exponents such as Peter Singer and Mary Midgley and asks students to think critically about these readings for themselves.
Key features include clear activities and activities, chapter summaries and guides to further reading.

Philippa Foot is one of the most original and widely respected philosophers of recent years; her work has exerted a lasting influence on the development of moral philosophy. In tribute to her, twelve eminent philosophers from both sides of the Atlantic offer essays exploring the various topics in moral philosophy to which she has made a distinctive contribution. There are chapters on virtue ethics, naturalism, non-cognitivism, relativism, categorical requirements, and the role of rationality in morality. Virtues and Reasons offers at the same time an impressive demonstration of Professor Foot's continuing influence, and a selection of outstanding work in contemporary moral philosophy. 'to be welcomed for more reasons than one. Most obviously, it is fitting that Foot's salutary influence on moral theory should be celebrated by such a fine set of papers . . . [they] have much to offer' Michael Smith, Times Literary Supplement

Rosalind Hursthouse, who has done much to restore the virtues to prominence in contemporary moral philosophy, now presents a full exposition and defence of her own version of virtue ethics. She discusses a wide range of philosophical topics, including action, duty, dilemmas, moral absolutism, and the moral significance of the emotions. Her clear, engaging style will make On Virtue Ethics attractive to readers at all levels.

This volume brings together a selection of Rosalind Hursthouse's essays on Aristotle, virtue ethics, and social philosophy. These articles provide valuable context and clarification for much of her more famous work while drawing attention to new avenues of philosophical investigation that Hursthouse pursued. Hursthouse's work played an integral role in establishing virtue ethics as a distinctive approach in ethical theory. This collection includes essays on the development of virtue in children, what the Aristotelian practically wise person knows, how virtue ethicists can inform discussions about environmental and animal ethics, what the starting point for virtue politics should be in a contemporary political context, and how human nature and ethical naturalism could provide the foundation for a virtue ethical system.

The ethics of Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), and virtue ethics in general, have seen a resurgence of interest over the past few decades. No longer do utilitarianism and Kantian ethics on their own dominate the moral landscape. In addition, Aristotelian themes fill out that landscape, with such issues as the importance of friendship and emotions in a good life, the role of moral perception in wise choice, the nature of happiness and its constitution, moral education and habituation, finding a stable home in contemporary moral debate. The essays in this volume represent the best of that debate. Taken together, they provide a close analysis of central arguments in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. But they do more than that. Each shows the enduring interest of the questions Aristotle himself subtly and complexly raises in the context of his own contemporary discussions.