Attention to Virtues
An Affective Grammar

Explores the virtues of good character, relating them to human concerns and the emotions they produce in our lives.

Robert C. Roberts (Author)

9781009570954, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 August 2025

340 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2.4 cm, 0.64 kg

In Attention to Virtues, Robert C. Roberts offers a view of moral philosophical inquiry reminiscent of the ancient Greek concern that philosophy improve a practitioner's life by improving her character. The book divides human virtues into three groups: virtues of caring (generosity and truthfulness, for example, are direct, while justice and the sense of duty are indirect), enkratic virtues (courage, self-control), and humility, which is in a class by itself. The virtues are individuated by their conceptual structure, which Roberts calls their 'grammar.' Well-illustrated accounts of generosity, gratitude, compassion, forgivingness, truthfulness, patience, courage, justice, and a sense of duty relate such traits to human concerns and the emotions that express them in the circumstances of life. The book provides a comprehensive account of excellent moral character, and yet treats each virtue in enough detail to bring it to life.

Part I. Introductory: 1. Attention to virtues
2. The elements of moral character
Part II. Virtues of Direct Caring: 3. Generosity and gratitude
4. Compassion
5. Forgivingness
6. Truth and truthfulness
Part III. The Enkratic Virtues: 7. Self-control, courage, patience, and perseverance
Part IV. Virtues of Indirect Caring: 8. Justice
9. The sense of duty
10. Temperance
Part V. A Virtue of Indifference: 11. Humility
Conclusion: 12. Practical wisdom and the rationality of emotions
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]