Virtues are excellences. (23rd August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bloomfield, Paul
• Is Part Of: Ratio. Volume 35:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2021-08-23
• Subjects: Aristotle -- cardinal virtues -- virtue ethics -- virtue theory -- wisdom; Philosophy -- Periodicals; Analysis (Philosophy) -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1111/rati.12323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-0006

Abstract

Abstract: One of the few points of unquestioned agreement in virtue theory is that the virtues are supposed to be excellences. One way to understand this is to claim that the virtues always yield correct moral action and that we cannot be "too virtuous": the virtues cannot be had in excess or "to a fault". If we take this seriously, however, it yields the surprising conclusion that many traits which have been traditionally thought of as "virtues" fail to make the grade. The most prominent solution to the problem, reminiscent of Aristotle's view, is found to generate more problems than it solves.