Single Idea 4358

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / d. Good as virtue]

Full Idea

Some critics say virtue is not necessary for eudaimonia (since the wicked sometimes flourish), and others say it is not sufficient (because virtuous behaviour sometimes ruins a life).

Gist of Idea

Virtue may be neither sufficient nor necessary for eudaimonia

Source

Rosalind Hursthouse (On Virtue Ethics [1999], Ch.8)

Book Reference

Hursthouse,Rosalind: 'On Virtue Ethics' [OUP 2001], p.172


A Reaction

Both criticisms seem wrong (the wicked don't 'flourish', and complete virtue never ruins lives, except in tragic dilemmas). But it is hard to prove them wrong.