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

The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy | Martha C. Nussbaum | Interesting exploration of contingency in human happiness

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The Fragility of G...

	The Fragility of Goodness: Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy Martha C. Nussbaum Cambridge University Press, 2001 - 590 pages average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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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.

What were they reading?

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.

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Interesting exploration of contingency in human happiness

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.

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A different read

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.

reviews: page 1, 2

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