The Neglect of Virtue

Modem moral philosophy has devoted itself primarly to axiological and deontological matters.'There have been occasional stirrings-some recently-in the direction of what might be called agent-theory,2 but it is undeniable that ends, means, utility, values, rules, principles, duties, obligations, responsibilities, and desert have been in the forefront of discussion.Virtue has been and remains generally neglected, or discussed merely as a derivative concept.I want to make a plea for virtue-much in the spirit of Austin's plea for excuses-as a concept which should be central to moral theorizing.This has been done before,3 but it is clear that philosophers in general either still need convincing or need a more developed apologia than has yet been provided.