ABSTRACT

This volume presents the fruits of an extended dialogue among American and Chinese philosophers concerning the relations between virtue ethics and the Confucian tradition.  Based on recent advances in English-language scholarship on and translation of Confucian philosophy, the book demonstrates that cross-tradition stimulus, challenge, and learning are now eminently possible. Anyone interested in the role of virtue in contemporary moral philosophy, in Chinese thought, or in the future possibilities for cross-tradition philosophizing will find much to engage with in the twenty essays collected here.

chapter 1|11 pages

Introduction

part I|67 pages

Debating the Scope and Applicability of “Virtue” and “Virtue Ethics”

part II|44 pages

Happiness, Luck, and Ultimate Goals

part III|46 pages

Practicality, Justification, and Action Guidance

chapter 12|14 pages

The Practicality of Ancient Virtue Ethics

Greece and China

chapter 13|11 pages

How Virtues Provide Action Guidance

Confucian Military Virtues at Work

chapter 14|10 pages

Rationality and Virtue in the Mencius 1

chapter 15|9 pages

Between Generalism and Particularism

The Cheng Brothers' Neo-Confucian Virtue Ethics

part IV|48 pages

Moral Psychology and Particular Virtues