The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy [Paperback]

Martha C. Nussbaum (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521794722 | ISBN-13: 978-0521794725 | Publication Date: January 15, 2001 | Edition: 2

This book is a study of ancient views about "moral luck." It examines the fundamental ethical problem that many of the valued constituents of a well-lived life are vulnerable to factors outside a person's control, and asks how this affects our appraisal of persons and their lives. The Greeks made a profound contribution to these questions, yet neither the problems nor the Greek views of them have received the attention they deserve. This updated edition contains a new preface.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Nussbaum's] book still has much to offer." BMCR

"This is an immensely rich and stimulating book. This is partly because the author combines to a rare degree qualities not often found together: a scholar's understanding of the text with rigour of argument, and these together with an imaginative grasp of moral questions. But it is also because she has chosen to write a very ambitious book, to grapple with some fundamental, perennial issues....It should change the tenor of debate in more than one field." Charles Taylor, Canadian Journal of Philosophy

"Over fifteen years since its first appearance, this work is still of interest to literary critics, philosophers and intellectual historians alike." Patrick O'Sullivan, University of Cantebury, Christchurch, NZ

Book Description

This book is a study of ancient views about "moral luck." It examines the fundamental ethical problem that many of the valued constituents of a well-lived life are vulnerable to factors outside a person's control, and asks how this affects our appraisal of persons and their lives. The Greeks made a profound contribution to these questions, yet neither the problems nor the Greek views of them have received the attention they deserve. This updated edition contains anew preface.

Product Details

• Paperback: 590 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521794722
• ISBN-13: 978-0521794725
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > History > Historical Study > History of Ideas

More About the Author

Martha C. Nussbaum is the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago, appointed in Law, Philosophy, and Divinity.

Author photo by Robin Holland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What were they reading?, March 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy (Paperback)

In this book, Ms. Nussbaum takes on one of the most challenging and heart-rending questions raised by the ancient poets and philosophers: what is the relationship between goodness (good character, right action) and having a good life (happiness, human flourishing)?

With the tragedians, and against some of the philosophers (notably Plato), Ms. Nussbaum considers the possibility that right action and right thinking cannot protect us from the pain of life's contingencies, and (much worse) that sheer bad luck can blight character itself.

Ms. Nussbaum addresses the issues and the texts with respect for their subtlety, with imaginative insight, and with her characteristic regard for reason. Every time she discusses a text, I come away knowing more about that text--and more about life.

"Comforting platitudes" and "sloppy" exegesis? No. Not hardly.

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A different read, January 30, 2001

By 

Glen Pettigrove (Riverside, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy (Paperback)

There are two ways one might approach the Fragility of Goodness. One might approach the text in search of careful exegesis of classical texts. If this is one's aim, one will probably be disappointed with what Nussbaum provides in this book. On the other hand, one might approach the text in search of a thought-provoking discussion of important issues in moral and political philosophy. If the latter is one's concern, then Nussbaum's work is rich, exciting and well worth reading.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting exploration of contingency in human happiness, January 19, 2008

By 

Greg (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy (Paperback)

I am not a classics scholar, so I am not fit to judge the opinions of others stated here that Nussbaum 'misreads' the works of ancient philosophers. Nevertheless, in my reading of Nussbaum's works I do not see any evidence to suggest Nussbaum is being careless in her exegesis and interpretation of the works of ancient philosophy.

Her thesis is quite interesting and intricate, and based around the examination of attempts by Greek thinkers, especially Plato and Aristotle, to overcome the fragility and contingency of our human condition. The bias of Nussbaum is clearly towards Aristotle's down-to Earth philosophy over Plato's attempts to totally transcend our weakness by placing happiness in contemplation of the Forms, though she does not dismiss Plato out of hand.

While one may not ultimately accept her arguments or her thesis, her ideas are carefully argued and supported by close readings of the ancient philosophers, and well worth considering.