The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy

Nussbaum, Martha C.

ISBN 10: 052179126X / ISBN 13: 9780521791267

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001

About this Item

Ambitious scholarly work examining the ancient Greek idea of the possibility of living a good life in the face of random tragedy, as reflected in the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, and others. Each chapter is on a single work, rather than using several works to advance themes, so the book can be read piecemeal. "Revised" edition, though the revision consists of no more than an extensive new preface rather than a reworking of the original text. Hardcover, as pictured; first printing of the 'revised' edition. Light wear to book, corners bumped, spine a bit dished, ISBN sticker on rear cover; no jacket, likely as issued. Text clean; xlv, blank, 544 pages; notes, bibliography, indexes. Size: Octavo.

Seller Inventory # y0045

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 052179126X
• ISBN 13: 9780521791267
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: Revised Edition.
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Ancient History
  • Philosophy
  • Literature

About this title

Synopsis

This book, first published in 2001, is a study of ancient views about 'moral luck'.

Review

"[Nussbaum's] book still has much to offer." BMCR

"This is an immensely rich and stimulating book. This is partly because the author combines to a rare degree qualities not often found together: a scholar's understanding of the text with rigour of argument, and these together with an imaginative grasp of moral questions. But it is also because she has chosen to write a very ambitious book, to grapple with some fundamental, perennial issues....It should change the tenor of debate in more than one field." Charles Taylor, Canadian Journal of Philosophy

"Over fifteen years since its first appearance, this work is still of interest to literary critics, philosophers and intellectual historians alike." Patrick O'Sullivan, University of Cantebury, Christchurch, NZ