The fragility of goodness : luck and ethics in Greek tragedy and philosophy /

With mastery of interpretive skills, expert knowledge of the original sources, and familiarity with current discussions, the author offers a sustained analysis of a most vital concern of classical Greek culture: the fragility of goodness. The book concentrates mainly on representative tragedies and the works of Plato and Aristotle to highlight the complexity of the subject. This excellent and readable study explores the impact of the precarious elements of luck and internal and external forces on the limited power of human reason to determine, choose, and pursue goodness. Every substantive issue related to understanding the whims of luck, conflicting values, and the struggle to ensure stability in excellence receives close scrutiny. Nussbaum has amply demonstrated the fruitfulness of explorations that treat philosophy and dramaturgy as intertwining disclosures of the tragic moment and the mission of ethical thought. Bibliography, notes, appendixes and indexes, in addition to the analytical table of contents, add special value to this book. Indispensable for all college libraries and students in the humanities.-J.P. Anton, University of South Florida