Aristotle is the father of virtue ethics--a discipline which is receiving renewed scholarly attention. Yet Aristotle's accounts of the individual virtues remain opaque, for most contemporary commentators of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics have focused upon other matters. In contrast, Howard J. Curzer takes Aristotle's detailed description of the individual virtues to be central to his ethical theory. Working through the Nicomachean Ethics virtue-by-virtue, explaining and generally defending Aristotle's claims, this book brings each of Aristotle's virtues alive. A new Aristotle emerges, an Aristotle fascinated by the details of the individual virtues. Justice and friendship hold special places in Aristotle's virtue theory. Many contemporary discussions place justice and friendship at opposite, perhaps even conflicting, poles of a spectrum. Justice seems to be very much a public, impartial, and dispassionate thing, while friendship is paradigmatically private, partial, and passionate. Yet Curzer argues that in Aristotle's view they are actually symbiotic. Justice is defined in terms of friendship, and good friendship is defined in terms of justice. Curzer goes on to reveal how virtue ethics is not only about being good; it is also about becoming good. Aristotle and the Virtues reconstructs Aristotle's account of moral development. Certain character types serve as stages of moral development. Certain catalysts and mechanisms lead from one stage to the next. Explaining why some people cannot make moral progress specifies the preconditions of moral development. Finally, Curzer describes Aristotle's quest to determine the ultimate goal of moral development, happiness.

"Howard Curzers Aristotle and the Virtues offers a formidable defense of Aristotles accounts of the virtues against contemporary criticisms. Curzer maintains that Aristotle gradually unfolds his ethical theory in his treatment of individual virtues, and his own book follows suit." - Joshua W. Schulz, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly

"It is pleasingly rich and accessible, elegantly written, and attentive to the fine points of Aristotle's argument. It also contains a number of charts that will prove useful to the new reader." - Karen Margrethe Nielsen, Mind

"This is a terrific book. It challenges many well-established readings of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and offers inventive re-interpretations in their places. There is insight on almost every page. But most of all, the Aristotle that emerges from Curzer's interpretation seems extraordinarily humane, and equally astute. . . In sum, this is a book to be thankful for. . .everyone, I think, will appreciate the revitalization of Aristotle's ethics as a practical guide to living. ^" - Cathal Woods, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Aristotle and the Virtues is solid reading and packed with detailed argument, often in the form of examples." - Andrew Murray, Philosophical Quarterly

"Anyone seeking a contemporary academic approach to Aristotle might usefully consult this lengthy and detailed study of the Nicomachean Ethics." - Robert C. Bartlett, The Review of Metaphysics

"a formidable defence of Aristotle's accounts of the virtues against contemporary criticisms." - Joshua W. Schulz, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly

"Curzer's book contains many interesting discussions about new and classical themes related to Aristotle's treatment of the virtues of character. . . provides a fruitful framework for discussion and presents many provocative ideas that will be challenging and worth considering both for those working on modern virtue ethics and for those with a primary interest in ancient ethics." - Marta Jimenez, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews