Virtues of Independence and Dependence on Virtues

Debate about the concept of virtue is a persistent theme in academic discourse. In moral philosophy there seems to be at least two important strands of thinking. First, is the effort to assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of virtue-ethics. Second, is fascinating research in the area of applied ethics, where the use of virtues in different contexts has been explored both empirically and normatively. In political philosophy the renewed interest in virtue has provoked debate about potential conflicts between notions of the good life and liberal political principles. This volume crosses the established borders of academic disciplines in order to provide a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the place of virtues in contemporary western societies.