ABSTRACT

Virtue is among the most venerable concepts in philosophy, and has recently seen a major revival.  However, new challenges to conceptions of virtue have also arisen.  In Current Controversies in Virtue Theory, five pairs of cutting-edge philosophers square off over central topics in virtue theory: the nature of virtue, the connection between virtue and flourishing, the connection between moral and epistemic virtues, the way in which virtues are acquired, and the possibility of attaining virtue.  Mark Alfano guides his readers through these essays (all published here for the first time), with a synthetic introduction, succinct abstracts of each debate, suggested further readings and study questions for each controversy, and a list of further controversies to be explored.

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 1|29 pages

What Is a Virtue?

chapter Chapter 2|26 pages

Does Virtue Contribute to Flourishing?

chapter Chapter 3|30 pages

How Are Virtue and Knowledge Related?

chapter Chapter 4|32 pages

How Are Virtues Acquired?

chapter Chapter 5|27 pages

Can People Be Virtuous?