The revival of virtue ethics in recent decades has often been accompanied by a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era when moral seriousness was purportedly ubiquitous and the virtues far easier to acquire than they are in the moral wasteland of modernity. By looking to an American tradition of the virtues, this reading group investigates whether one might be both an advocate for the virtues and an advocate for modern democracy, while avoiding the nostalgia.

This reading group is open to graduate students in any discipline. Space is limited; to sign up or for more information please contact Peter Wicks.