Hobbit Virtues: Rediscovering J. R. R. Tolkien's Ethics from The Lord of the Rings

By: Christopher A. Snyder

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Synopsis: A response to our fractured political discourse, Hobbit Virtues speaks to the importance of &“virtue ethics&” by examining the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien—with particular attention to his hobbits.Tolkien&’s works resonate with so many readers in part because Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin demonstrate Classical, Judeo-Christian, Medieval, and even Hindu and Confucian virtues. Tolkien ennobles the small, the humble, and the marginalized in his Middle-earth writings and presents leaders who are hesitant to exercise power, are courteous, and value wisdom and learning. Each chapter in Hobbit Virtues consists of a wide-ranging discussion of a single virtue, exemplified by a character in Middle-earth, explaining its philosophical or theological roots and how the virtue is still relevant in a modern democracy. It will also include appendices where readers can find passages in Tolkien&’s and Lewis&’s works that discuss virtue ethics, and a glossary of virtues from ancient to modern, East to West. Tolkien&’s readers come from many different religious and secular backgrounds and the pleasure and profundity of Hobbit Virtues is that mutual respect for public virtues is, especially now, necessary for a well-functioning pluralistic society.

Book Quality:: Publisher Quality
Book Size:: 368 Pages
ISBN-13:: 9781643134116
Related ISBNs:: 9781643134109
Publisher:: Pegasus Books
Date of Addition:: 08/04/20
Copyrighted By:: Christopher A. Snyder
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: Nonfiction, Literature and Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Social Studies, Language Arts, Law, Legal Issues and Ethics, Philosophy
Submitted By:: Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.