Description
Book SynopsisThat the art of life is creative, imaginative, and individual does not mean... that it cannot be taught and learned or that individuals cannot improve their mastery of it. Teaching it proceeds by way of exemplary lives, and learning it consists in coming to appreciate what makes some lives exemplary.... That imitation here is impossible does not mean one cannot learn from examples. The question is, How can that be done reasonably; how can decisions about how one should live escape being arbitrary, if they are left to individual creativity and imagination and are not governed by rules that apply to everyone living in a particular context?from The Art of LifeThe art of life, according to John Kekes, consists in living a life of personal and moral excellence. This art requires continuous creative effort, drawing on one''s character, circumstances, experiences, and ideals. Since these conditions vary with times and places, Kekes says, there can be no single blueprint for the achievement
Trade Review
John Kekes has been a steady and important contributor to recent discussions about life.... The Art of Life demonstrates unequivocally the value of rigorous philosophical reflection on something that we all want, spend most of our time and energy trying to achieve, fret about endlessly, but understand only dimly, namely, a good life. The Art of Life is both a pleasure to read and an illuminating piece of philosophical work. Kekes brings a lifetime of serious thought to this 'most important of all human activities.'
* The Journal of Ethics *
Arguing that no formalist doctrine such as Kant's can provide universally valid rules for leading a moral life, Kekes instead maintains that the study of admirable individuals furnishes the guidelines we need. Among those Kekes finds worthy of emulation are Montaigne and Thomas More, who balanced public responsibilities with private commitments.... Highly recommended for all public libraries.
* Library Journal *
Kekes belongs to a flourishing school of thought known as 'virtue ethics.' He and his colleagues believe that mainstream moral philosophers since the time of Kant and Bentham have been barking up the wrong tree. Instead of seeking to define morality in terms of abstract universal principles, they should have stuck to the traditional methods of Aristotle and Cicero, exploring what it might mean for particular individuals to have a virtuous or vicious character, or to lead an honourable or a despicable life. The Art of Life is an impressive attempt to tackle this task directly.
* Times Literary Supplement *
