The Fabric of Character: Aristotle's Theory of Virtue - Hardcover

Sherman, Nancy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198244517 ISBN 13: 9780198244516

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1989

Synopsis

Many traditional accounts of Aristotle's theory of ethical education neglect its cognitive aspects. This book contributes to the debate on Aristotle by asserting that, in Aristotle's view, excellence of character is constituted both by the sentiments and by practical reason. In particular, the author considers four aspects of practical reason as they relate to character: moral perception, choice-making, collaboration and the development of these capacities in moral education. Throughout the book, the author takes into account contemporary moral debates and indicates the extent to which Aristotle's account of practical reason provides an alternative to theories of impartial reason.

About this title

Review

`Sherman's book is engaging and perceptive ... Her accounts of moral sensitivity, practical reason and the building of character by an agent ... are fascinating and soundly based on interpretation of the texts.'Times Higher Education Supplement

`Sherman's excellent book explores the complex of issues raised by Aristotle's conception of character: choice, practical reasoning, emotion, commitment and habituation. The book is accessible and interesting to the non-specialist, and specialists will learn much from it.' Julia Annas

`The book contains excellent discussions of emotions, friendship, character, and moral education, and a particularly superb discussion of the role of perception in morality.Lawrence Blum

`Her book deserves ... a wide readership among Aristotle specialists ... it should also be of interest to non-specialists. Its clear and non-technical style puts it well within the reach of an adventurous undergraduate.' Ethics

`This is an interesting book, and a very personal one. One of its attractive features is the way in which Sherman takes Aristotle seriously as a philosopher with something to say.' Greece and Rome, Vol xxxvii No. 1 Apr '90

`a sensible and sensitive discussion of four different aspects of Aristotle's account of practical reason ... Her book deserves ― and will surely find ― a wide readership among Aristotle specialists ... a solid contribution to scholarship and a worthy companion to the many excellent books and articles which have recently appeared on Aristotle's Ethics' C.D.C. Reeve, Reed College, Ethics

`a thoughtful and convincing study ... an excellent contribution to scholarship on Aristotle's ethical theory, and one which ... will be most helpful to students trying to get to grips with that theory.' Classical Review

'The chapters on friendship and habituation make an essentially valuable, original contribution to these important but neglected topics.' Religious Studies Review, Volume 16 Number 4/October 1990

'a sensible and sensitive discussion of four different aspects of Aristotle's account of practical reason' C.D.C. Reeve, Reed College, Ethics, July 1990

`she offers an excellent account of moral perceptiveness and its relationship to the practical syllogism. Her book is the best survey I have come across of these crucial areas of Aristotle's moral theory ... well worth reading.'The Heythrop Journal

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0198244517
• ISBN 13: 9780198244516
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 227