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Virtue, Satisfaction and Welfare Enhancement

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  • DOVIAK, DANIEL

Abstract

In ‘Is Virtue Its Own Reward?’ Wayne Sumner argues that (1) as a matter of necessity, virtue is intrinsically prudentially rewarding, and (2) if all else is equal, the virtuous will fare better than the non-virtuous. In this article, I reproduce and criticize those arguments. I offer several objections to the argument for the first thesis; each objection makes the same basic point: contrary to what Sumner assumes, certain contingent facts over and above a person's being virtuous have to obtain if virtue is to issue in any prudential reward. I object to Sumner's second thesis by arguing that moral neutrality can be at least as welfare-enhancing as moral virtuosity. Finally, I argue that even if virtue were intrinsically rewarding in the way Sumner envisions, it would still be impossible to determine a priori whether adopting a virtuous lifestyle would be prudentially rational.

Suggested Citation

  • Doviak, Daniel, 2009. "Virtue, Satisfaction and Welfare Enhancement," Utilitas, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(1), pages 59-71, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:utilit:v:21:y:2009:i:01:p:59-71_00
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