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Can one learn to be a good person? What does it mean to be a good person? In this seminar, we will explore the notions of virtue and character from both ancient and contemporary perspectives. After looking at Plato’s and Aristotle’s corresponding approaches, the seminar will be chiefly concerned with critically assessing the recent revival and reappropriations of ancient virtue ethics (Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe, Alasdair MacIntyre, Iris Murdoch, Bernard Williams, Martha Nussbaum, Philippa Foot, John McDowell, Rosalind Hursthouse, Glen Pettigrove, and Julia Annas). Topics of discussion will include whether or not virtue of character is a suitable foundation for ethics, what distinguishes virtue ethics from deontological and consequentialist ethical theories, whether virtue is a fundamental, irreducible notion, or whether virtues are to be defined in terms of the consequences they yield or rather as character traits of those people who act according to moral duties. Readings will be made available via Moodle. The seminar requires no previous knowledge of the topic, and will be in English. |
