Abstract
Some virtues are chiefly about increasing one's domain, striking out into the unknown, and bursting the bounds that confine us. Other virtues are about accepting limits and thriving within them. David McPherson's worthwhile book is an extended exploration of the latter, with an emphasis on reverence, humility, gratitude, contentment, moderation, loyalty, and neighbourliness. Appealing to these ‘limiting virtues’, as he calls them, McPherson defends a panoply of normative conclusions in ethics, politics, and economics. For instance, by appealing to reverence, he argues there are absolute prohibitions we must respect no matter the stakes; by appealing to humility, that utopian ambitions in the political sphere are unacceptable; by appealing to patriotism, that it is better to be a citizen of a particular somewhere rather than a citizen of the world; and by appealing to gratitude, that all of us, regardless of religion, should embrace something like the Jewish practice of Sabbath.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
