The Book of Proverbs and Virtue Ethics
Integrating the Biblical and Philosophical Traditions

This book offers a new interpretation of the book of Proverbs from the standpoint of virtue ethics.

Arthur Jan Keefer (Author)

9781108839778, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 November 2020

325 pages
24 x 16 x 2.5 cm, 0.75 kg

'The discussion is attractively undogmatic and nuanced, and should be of interest to both biblical specialists and philosophers looking for the roots of Jewish and Christian ethics.' John Barton, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

In this book, Arthur Keefer offers a new interpretation of the book of Proverbs from the standpoint of virtue ethics. Using an innovative method that bridges philosophy and biblical studies, he argues that much of the instruction within Proverbs meets the criteria for moral and theological virtue as set out in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and the works of St. Thomas Aquinas. Keefer presents the moral thought of Proverbs in its social, historical, and theological contexts. He shows how these contexts shed light on the conceptualization of virtue, the virtues that are promoted and omitted, and the characteristics that make Proverbs a distinctive moral tradition. In giving undivided attention to biblical virtue, this volume opens the way for new avenues of study in biblical ethics, including law, narrative, and other aspects of biblical instruction and wisdom.

Tables
Preface
Note on texts and translation
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Views of virtue in philosophy
3. Moral virtues in Proverbs
4. Honor, shame, humility and pride
5. Courage, work, speech and friendship
6. Theological virtues in Proverbs
7. Moral agents and the presentation of virtue
Appendices
Bibliography
Index of ancient sources
Index of authors and topics.

Subject Areas: Judaism: sacred texts [HRJS], Judaism [HRJ], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], Christianity [HRC], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]