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Why do people do evil? How can we learn to do better? Philosophers in the long-standing tradition of 'virtue ethics' argue that we act badly because of shortcomings in our character, and that we can improve by practicing virtues such as courage, honesty, and compassion. Recently philosophical 'situationists' have issued a profound challenge to this tradition: they argue that anyone can act badly if placed in a sufficiently tempting situation, and that the goal of cultivating good character is misguided and can even be harmful. Instead of pursuing ideals of virtue, these philosophers argue, we should instead focus our efforts on avoiding morally dangerous situations. This book critically examines the arguments and evidence on each side of the debate, with a special focus on the connections between the philosophical issues and current research in social and personality psychology. "Character "also includes a guide to further reading that will help students deepen their understanding of this essential topic in contemporary ethics.
