Virtue Rediscovered

Virtue ethics occupies the strange position of being one of the oldest and most prominently discussed ethical theories throughout history, and yet many contemporary moral philosophers do not recognize it as a genuine alternative to currently prominent normative theories, such as utilitarianism or Kantian ethics. In Virtue Rediscovered: Deontology, Consequentialism, and Virtue Ethics in the Contemporary Moral Landscape, Nathan Wood argues that this discrepancy requires us to rethink how we understand the function and purpose of normative ethical theories, especially insofar as such theories are expected to be action guiding. All ethical theories guide action, but do so in two different ways. One way is through stipulating criteria for what we ought to do, but another way is setting a core concern that represents an account of what lies at the heart of morality and determines the moral salience of features in the world. This framework not only clarifies the nature of deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics, but also recasts the debate among them.

Virtue ethics has seen an enormous resurgence in recent years, but significant philosophical uncertainties remain over its scope, its capacity to guide actions, and its relationships to rival ethical theories such as deontology and consequentialism. In this impressive book, Nathan Wood develops both a rigorous overview of the leading perspectives and a brand new topology of the terrain of competing ethical accounts. Rethinking the fundamental categories and relationships among virtue ethics, deontology and consequentialism, he makes a range of familiar problems more tractable and establishes himself as a significant new voice in the field by doing so.--Piers H. G. Stephens, University of Georgia, This book provides a rare and general overview of the various positions taken by ethical theorists. Contemporary virtue ethics is defended as a unique and valuable option among consequentialist and deontological alternatives. It can be difficult to get caught up on the debates in philosophy, and this book covers plenty of ground in a brisk and exceedingly clear manner. It will be helpful and engaging for those curious about ethics.--Jennifer Baker, Professor of Philosophy, College of Charleston

Nathan Wood is discipline chair of the philosophy, religion, and humanities department at Central Piedmont Community College.