Why do people do evil? How can we learn to do better? Philosophers in the long-standing tradition of 'virtue ethics' argue that we act badly because of shortcomings in our character, and that we can improve by practicing virtues such as courage, honesty, and compassion. Recently, philosophical 'situationists' have issued a profound challenge to this tradition: they argue that anyone can act badly if placed in a sufficiently tempting situation, and that the goal of cultivating good character is misguided and may even be harmful. Rather than encouraging us to pursue the ideal of virtue, these philosophers propose that ethics should instead begin by recognizing the profound limits of human self-knowledge and self-control.

This book critically examines the arguments and evidence on each side of this debate, with a special focus on the connections between the philosophical issues and current research in social and personality psychology. Character also includes guides to further reading that will help students deepen their understanding of this essential topic in contemporary ethics.

About the Authors

Jay R. Elliott is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, USA. He is the author of several articles on ethics and the philosophy of mind, and is a co-editor of The Norton Anthology of Western Philosophy, Volume 5: The Analytic Tradition.

Thom Brooks is Professor of Law and Government at Durham University, UK, and Founding Editor of the Journal of Moral Philosophy.

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