Putting On Virtue

“Putting On Virtue is one of the most important books on ethical formation to appear in a long time. Its account of early modern struggles over the ambiguous legacies of Aristotle and Augustine fills an enormous gap in the scholarly literature. But the book’s central question is of utmost contemporary urgency: Does either secular society or the church have sufficient understanding of ethical formation to be capable of transmitting the virtues to future generations? Herdt must now be recognized as one of the most learned and perceptive historians of ethics we have.”—Jeffrey Stout, professor of religion at Princeton University and author of Democracy and Tradition

“Jennifer Herdt offers in this volume a searching new case for both a Christian ethic of mimetic virtue and a generous assessment of pagan virtue. She examines major theological and philosophical figures, from Augustine to Kant, yet shows throughout how they inform contemporary reflection on virtue. Fresh retrievals appear, including the figure of Erasmus, who illustrates a ‘salutary holism’ of acquired and infused virtues that she herself extols.  Important texts and claims commingle, from an author who makes her formidable learning laudably accessible.”—Gene Outka, Yale University

“Can we become good by training ourselves to act in the way a good person would?  Can true virtue be developed apart from a community in which our dependence upon God is acknowledged? Can we ever reach a point in our moral development at which we may be confident that God’s judgment of our character must be favorable?  In a study that is historical in its development and normative in its aims, Jennifer Herdt probes such questions with precision and elegance.  Even readers not fully persuaded by her normative claims will be invited and challenged to think through fundamental questions of the moral life.”—Gilbert Meilaender, Valparaiso University

“Putting On Virtue sets a new standard for work in Christian Ethics. Jennifer Herdt not only introduces significant historical material that has been ignored by those who have thought to reclaim virtue tradition, but, just as importantly provides fresh readings of Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas. I know of no higher praise I can give a book than to say I look forward to teaching it as soon as possible. What a remarkable achievement.”—Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University

“Jennifer Herdt’s book is, far and away, the best recent work in Christian ethics that we have.”—John R. Bowlin, Princeton Theological Seminary