Overriding virtue

Abstract

In this chapter, Richard Yetter Chappell examines the moral status of a disposition he calls “abstract benevolence”, viz. the disposition to allow abstract considerations of the greater good to override one’s natural inclinations towards prioritizing those whose needs are lesser but in some way more emotionally salient. Many people feel that it is callous to act in this manner, and this view seems to comport well with the traditional view of “sympathy” as an important virtue. Chappell argues to the contrary: according to him, we must recognize abstract benevolence as an important virtue for imperfectly virtuous agents living in present times.