What is a good life? What does it mean to be a good person? Richard White answers these questions by considering aspects of moral goodness through the virtues: courage, temperance, justice, compassion and wisdom. White explores how moral virtues affect and support social movements such as pacifism, environmentalism, multiculturalism, and animal rights. Drawing on the works of Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Nietzsche and others, White's philosophical treatment of virtue ethics is extended through historical and cross-cultural analysis, and he examines the lives of Socrates, Buddha, and Gandhi who lived virtuous lives to help the reader understand and acquire moral wisdom.

"White offers a fresh look at five core virtues: courage, temperance, justice, compassion, and wisdom. He explores a range of possible interpretations of each across both time and cultures....Recommended." - CHOICE, October 2008

"...non-technical style and language accessible to the readers outside academic circles.... Recommend.... Could profitably be assigned to upper level undergraduates in courses in moral theory or social and political philosophy.... Useful." - Metapsychology Online