Single Idea 4364

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / j. Unity of virtue]

Full Idea

It may well be that being particularly well endowed with respect to some virtues inevitably involves being not very well endowed in others.

Gist of Idea

Being unusually virtuous in some areas may entail being less virtuous in others

Source

Rosalind Hursthouse (On Virtue Ethics [1999], Ch.9)

Book Reference

Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.213


A Reaction

Maybe, but this sound a bit like an excuse. Newton wasn't very nice, but Einstein was. I can't believe in a finite reservoir of virtue.