The Fabric of Character
Aristotle's Theory of Virtue
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:7th Mar '91
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
There is a resurgence of interest in Aristotle's ethical theory, and this book contributes to the debate by asserting that, in Aristotle's view, excellence of character is constituted both by the sentiments and by practical reason. Throughout the arguments of the book, Nancy Sherman is sensitive to contemporary moral debates, and indicates the extent to which Aristotle's account of practical reason provides an alternative to theories of impartial reason.
`Sherman's book is engaging and perceptive ... Her accounts of moral sensitivity, practical reason and the building of character by an agent ... are fascinating and soundly based on interpretation of the texts.' Times Higher Education Supplement
`Sherman's excellent book explores the complex of issues raised by Aristotle's conception of character: choice, practical reasoning, emotion, commitment and habituation. The book is accessible and interesting to the non-specialist, and specialists will learn much from it.' Julia Annas
`The book contains excellent discussions of emotions, friendship, character, and moral education, and a particularly superb discussion of the role of perception in morality. Lawrence Blum
`Her book deserves ... a wide readership among Aristotle specialists ... it should also be of interest to non-specialists. Its clear and non-technical style puts it well within the reach of an adventurous undergraduate.' Ethics
`This is an interesting book, and a very personal one. One of its attractive features is the way in which Sherman takes Aristotle seriously as a philosopher with something to say.' Greece and Rome, Vol xxxvii No. 1 Apr '90
`a sensible and sensitive discussion of four different aspects of Aristotle's account of practical reason ... Her book deserves -- and will surely find -- a wide readership among Aristotle specialists ... a solid contribution to scholarship and a worthy companion to the many excellent books and articles which have recently appeared on Aristotle's Ethics' C.D.C. Reeve, Reed College, Ethics
`a thoughtful and convincing study ... an excellent contribution to scholarship on Aristotle's ethical theory, and one which ... will be most helpful to students trying to get to grips with that theory.' Classical Review
'The chapters on friendship and habituation make an essentially valuable, original contribution to these important but neglected topics.' Religious Studies Review, Volume 16 Number 4/October 1990
'a sensible and sensitive discussion of four different aspects of Aristotle's account of practical reason' C.D.C. Reeve, Reed College, Ethics, July 1990
`she offers an excellent account of moral perceptiveness and its relationship to the practical syllogism. Her book is the best survey I have come across of these crucial areas of Aristotle's moral theory ... well worth reading.' The Heythrop Journal
`lucidly argued and elegantly organized ... It is as valuable for the questions which it provkes as for the theses which it asserts.' MIND
`a lively and engaging contribution to a hybrid genre, half interpretation, half continuation ... Her own style is warm and fluent, and wins the reader over without drawing attention to itself ... her book deploys an insight and authenticity that refresh one's attention to familiar texts.' Ancient Philosophy
`With this book, Professor Sherman makes a significant contribution to the already extensive literature on Aristotle's conception of the relationship between character and intellect ... a remarkably coherent, philosophically sophisticated and admirably clear account of the role Aristotle assigns to the intellect in the life of virtuous activity.' African Catholic Philosophical Quarterly
`Nancy Sherman's book has great merits ... It presents one particular interpretation of Aristotle's ethics systematically and comprehensively. It is lucidly argued and elegantly organized ... It is as valuable for the questions which it provokes as for the theses which it asserts.' Mind
`Nancy Sherman's book is a lively and engaging contribution to a hybrid genre, half interpretation, half continuation.' Ancient Philosophy
`her book is firmly in the current of modern attempts to demonstrate the richness of Aristotle's ethical theory and theory of action, showing these to merit our closest concern.' Philosophical Books
'The book is interesting, well-argued and well-documented, and provides a valuable new slant on several parts of Aristotle's theory.' Anthony Preus, International Studies in Philosophy
ISBN: 9780198239178
Dimensions: 215mm x 137mm x 14mm
Weight: 323g
228 pages