Nature’s Virtue
Nature’s Virtue by James F. Pontuso, published by St. Augustines Press in 2019, explores the evolving concept of virtue in contemporary society. This edition, comprising 213 pages, delves into the perception of virtue as an outdated notion, often dismissed as a relic of the past. The book addresses the paradox of why, despite the decline in the use of the term, many individuals still engage in kind and decent behavior, questioning the foundations of moral philosophy in light of anti-foundationalist critiques.
Readers will find a thorough examination of the arguments surrounding virtue, particularly in relation to the views of notable scholars like Alasdair MacIntyre and Steven Pinker. Nature’s Virtue confronts the challenges posed by anti-foundationalist thinkers, asserting the need for a grounding of virtue in Platonic ideals. The text invites reflection on ethics and personal growth, making it relevant for those interested in philosophy, sociology, and the dynamics of human relationships.
Official synopsis Publisher
Virtue is not what it used to be. It has lost its good name. If virtue were a television show, it would garner low ratings and promptly be cancelled. If virtue were running for president, it would fare poorly in the Iowa caucuses and would drop out of the race after a weak showing in the New Hampshire primary. Virtue has a bad name, both because people no longer use the term and because it is associated with repression of desires. Today, it not considered healthy to keep inner urges at bay for very long. Virtue comes off looking like a relic of a quaint, narrow-minded, uptight age. Virtue does not support self-esteem since it is difficult to master the passions.
Yet virtue seems to be a part of everyday life. What accounts for the kindly relationships between people? Why are most people peaceful, law abiding, and decent? If, as some insist, there is no foundation for virtue, or people act only out of self-interest, how can we explain why so many people are good to each other?
Prestigious scholars, such as Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue, James Q. Wilson, The Moral Sense, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, and Philippa Foot, Natural Goodness, have attempted to answer this question. While these authors make great strides in explaining the character of goodness, their works do not face the problem raised by “anti-foundationalist.” Anti-foundationalist such as Richard Rorty, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and the libertarian school of economics maintain that humans lack a capacity for comprehending what is good or bad. For anti-foundationalists there are no higher metaphysical principles that guide behavior. Prescriptive judgments are little more than long-held cultural prejudices fortified by habit so as to seem natural. Therefore, philosophic claims about virtue are little more than guesses about proper conduct.
Nature’s Virtue squarely faces the challenge of anti-foundationalists. The book points out the defects of these ideas. It does so by presenting a contemporary restatement of the case for grounding virtue in Platonic forms or ideas.
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Nature’s Virtue” about?
Who is the author of “Nature’s Virtue”?
When was “Nature’s Virtue” published?
What is the ISBN for “Nature’s Virtue”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
