Character / Edition 1

by Joel J. Kupperman

Overview

We often speak of a person's character—good or bad, strong or weak—and think of it as a guide to how that person will behave in a given situation. Oddly, however, philosophers writing about ethics have had virtually nothing to say about the role of character in ethical behavior. What is character? How does it relate to having a self, or to the process of moral decision? Are we responsible for our characters? Character answers these questions, and goes on to examine the place of character in ethical philosophy. Both the Kantian and utilitarian traditions, Kupperman argues, have largely ignored the ways in which decisions are integrated over time, and instead provide a "snapshot" model of moral decision. Kupperman demonstrates the deficiencies of a number of classic and contemporary ethical theories that do not take account of the idea of character, and offers his own character-based theory. Along the way he touches on such subjects as personal identity, the importance of happiness, moral education, and the definition of a valuable life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195096545
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/04/1995
Edition description:	REPRINT
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.21(w) x 5.45(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

University of Connecticut, Storrs

Table of Contents

Part I	Character in Human Life
1.	What Is Character?	3
2.	Character and Self	19
3.	Character and Responsibility	47
Part II	The Place of Character in Ethics
4.	Ethical Theory and Choice	67
5.	Justice and the Virtues	90
6.	Value	115
7.	The Place of Character in Ethics	140
Appendix A	Moral Psychology	159
Appendix B	Education of Character	173
	Bibliography	185
	Index	191

Editorial Reviews

"Kupperman's book demonstrates how much is possible in how short a space: it is a rigorous yet insightful, historically informed yet up-to-date, theoretical yet example-filled, and clear yet stylish discussion of almost every important ethical topic—selfhood, responsibility, value, hedonism, happiness, relativism, moral theories Western and Eastern, education, and moral psychology—unified by the theme that character is central to ethics, in life and in philosophy."—Ethics

"A perceptive, ordinary-language analysis of character, almost always accessible to undergraduates and general readers....Recommended for a wide range of readers interested in character and ethics, lower-division undergraduates and up."—Choice

"It is a rare pleasure to find a work in moral philosophy that connects so straightforwardly with questions asked by ordinary persons in ordinary life....Kupperman's analysis is lucid and psychologically very sophisticated....This subtle and sensible book has much to offer anyone who wants to think more clearly about character and who is concerned with strategies for instilling strong and good character in the young."—Times Literary Supplement

"Timely....A virtuous read for advanced undergraduates and graduate students who have the character for moral philosophy. It would fit well in a course on virtue ethics. For those who teach ethics (practical and theoretical) it is helpful for getting clearer on some important contrasts among Kantian, utilitarian, and character theories....Provides useful ideas for teaching ethics."—Teaching Philosophy

From the Publisher