Aristotle's Ethics: Moral Development and Human Nature (Continuum Studies in Ancient Philosophy, 22) - Hardcover

May, Hope

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826491103 ISBN 13: 9780826491107

Publisher: Continuum, 2010

Synopsis

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is devoted to the topic of human happiness.  Yet, although Aristotle's conception of happiness is central to his whole philosophical project, there is much controversy surrounding it. Hope May offers a new interpretation of Aristotle's account of happiness - one which incorporates Aristotle's views about the biological development of human beings.  May argues that the relationship amongst the moral virtues, the intellectual virtues, and happiness, is best understood through the lens of developmentalism.  On this view, happiness emerges from the cultivation of a number of virtues that are developmentally related.  May goes on to show how contemporary scholarship in psychology, ethical theory and legal philosophy signals a return to Aristotelian ethics.  Specifically, May shows how a theory of motivation known as Self-Determination Theory and recent research on goal attainment have deep affinities to Aristotle's ethical theory.  May argues that this recent work can ground a contemporary virtue theory that acknowledges the centrality of autonomy in a way that captures the fundamental tenets of Aristotle's ethics.

About this title

Book Description:

Examines Aristotle's views on ethics and human nature, an issue central to the thought of this hugely important and influential philosopher.

About the Author:

Hope May is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Central Michigan University, USA. She received her Ph.D from Michigan State University in 2001. In 2008, she received her J.D. degree from Michigan State University College of Law, graduating magna cum laude and winning awards for her work in free expression, international law, and legal interpretation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Continuum
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0826491103
• ISBN 13: 9780826491107
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208