Living Toward Virtue: Practical Ethics in the Spirit of Socrates

Paul Woodruff's book Living toward Virtue encourages self-questioning to live ethically, avoid moral injury, and recognize the limits of knowledge. It follows Socrates' philosophy of self-examination and emphasizes the importance of nurturing souls and enjoying virtuous happiness. Woodruff's book is a culmination of decades of scholarship and is relevant to those interested in ancient questions about ethical living and current debates.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Paul Woodruff's book, "Living Toward Virtue," offers a comprehensive guide on how to live an ethical life through self-questioning. By engaging in introspection, individuals can gain clarity about their actions and motivations, thereby avoiding moral injury. Self-questioning also helps in recognizing the limitations of one's knowledge, preventing the trap of self-righteousness. Through real-life examples, Woodruff demonstrates how individuals can nurture their souls, experience virtuous happiness, and minimize the risk of moral harm. This approach aligns with the teachings of Socrates, who emphasized the importance of a lifelong self-examination. In contrast, modern philosophers who adhere to Aristotle's ethical principles often focus on possessing robust traits of character as the key to living well. While traits can be valuable, they are not always reliable in every situation and may not assist in making difficult decisions. Woodruff's book appeals to anyone interested in exploring ancient wisdom on ethical living and engaging with contemporary debates. It represents the culmination of decades of scholarship by one of the field's most distinguished figures.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 256 x 188 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197672129