Single Idea 20203

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / a. Nature of virtue]

Full Idea

A virtue can be defined as 'a deep and enduring acquired excellence of a person, involving a characteristic motivation to produce a certain desired end and reliable success in bringing about that end'.

Gist of Idea

Virtues are deep acquired excellences of persons, which successfully attain desire ends

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], II 2.7)

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.137


A Reaction

She puts this in bold, and it is the culminating definition of a long discussion. It rather obviously fails to say anything about the nature of the end that is desired. Learning the telephone book off by heart seems to fit the definition.