The Virtue of Nonviolence: From Gautama to Gandhi (Suny Constructive Postmodern Thought)

A study in comparative virtue ethics. Virtue ethics has been a major focus in contemporary moral philosophy since the publication of Alasdair MacIntyre's book After Virtue. Here, in The Virtue of Nonviolence, Nicholas F. Gier argues that virtue ethics is the best option for constructive postmodern philosophy and that Gandhi's own thought is best viewed in light of this tradition. He supports this position by formulating Gandhi's ethics of nonviolence as a virtue ethics, giving a Buddhist interpretation of Gandhi's philosophy, and presenting Gandhi as a constructive postmodern thinker. Also included is an assessment of the saints of nonviolence—Buddha, Christ, King, and Gandhi—and a charismatic theory of the nature of the saints. "Gier advances a strong case for moral and political nonperfectionism by giving a close, careful, and informed reading of Aristotle, Confucius, Buddha, and Gandhi. Stimulating and well-argued, this book offers a convincing argument that stretches conventional ideas and labels." — Ronald J. Terchek, author of Gandhi: Struggling for Autonomy "In The Virtue of Nonviolence, Nicholas F. Gier argues that virtue ethics is the best option for constructive postmodern philosophy and that Gandhi's own thought is best viewed in light of this tradition. He supports this position by formulating Gandhi's ethics of nonviolence as a virtue ethics, giving a Buddhist interpretation of Gandhi's philosophy, and presenting Gandhi as a constructive postmodern thinker. Also included is an assessment of the saints of nonviolence - Buddha, Christ, King, and Gandhi - and a charismatic theory of the nature of the saints."--Jacket.