The Definition of Moral Virtue - by Yves R Simon (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Yves R. Simon explores moral virtue in this piece through identifying three moral positions common in modernity that attempt to substitute the traditional concept of virtue, as well as discussing the distinction between nature and use of sources of good or evil. He also discusses the distinctions between habits and opinions, as well as the virtue and science. He gives clear examples that make this book enjoyable for readers of all levels to understand moral virtue.

From the Back Cover

This book has its origin in a course on 'Virtues' given by Yves R. Simon in the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago in the fall quarter of 1957.

Review Quotes

. . . the great Catholic philosopher Yves Simon explains with admirable clarity just in what the Aristotelian conception of virtue consists.-- "Crisis"

. . .an exceptionally well written, original, and insightful piece of practical wisdom...Simon's work appears to me to be the sort of text to which undergraduates should be introduced if one wishes to give them a pedagogically sounds and appealing introduction to moral science...Simon's work is an excellent piece of philosophical erudition...The book is genuinely a pear of great price.-- "The New Scholasticism"

. . .one of those rare books that will satisfy the demands of the general reader, the scholar, and the teacher...; its six chapter not only offer a clear exposition of moral virtue but reveal the narrative strategy of a master teacher. His use of examples is particularly persuasive because they are noticeably free of the 'lifeboat' mentality that plagues so much moral teaching...deserves a central place in philosophical revival of virtues. . .-- "Cross Currents"

About the Author

Yves R. Simon was a French Catholic political philosopher. He was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, and was a member of the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. His work was in the realm of Thomism or scholastic philosophy, as well as moral and political philosophy. He had ten publications including A General Theory of Authority, Philosophy of Democratic Government, and Freedom and Community.