{"product_id":"the-virtues-of-our-vices-emrys-westacott-9780691162218","title":"The Virtues of Our Vices: A Modest Defense of Gossip, Rudeness, and Other Bad Habits","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe hidden value of some of our everyday vices\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAre there times when it's right to be rude? Can we distinguish between good and bad gossip? Am I a snob if I think that NPR listeners are likely to be better informed than devotees of Fox News? Does sick humor do anyone any good? Can I think your beliefs are absurd but still respect you? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Virtues of Our Vices\u003c\/i\u003e, philosopher Emrys Westacott takes a fresh look at important everyday ethical questions-and comes up with surprising answers. He makes a compelling argument that some of our most common vices-rudeness, gossip, snobbery, tasteless humor, and disrespect for others' beliefs-often have hidden virtues or serve unappreciated but valuable purposes. For instance, there are times when rudeness may be necessary to help someone with a problem or to convey an important message. Gossip can foster intimacy between friends and curb abuses of power. And dubious humor can alleviate existential anxieties. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEngaging, funny, and philosophically sophisticated, \u003ci\u003eThe Virtues of Our Vices\u003c\/i\u003e challenges us to rethink conventional wisdom when it comes to everyday moral behavior.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Emrys Westacott\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0691162212\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780691162218\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Princeton University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/24\/2013\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.86lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.69d","brand":"Emrys Westacott","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45896456110335,"sku":"9780691162218","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_2f0dff0b-43b7-45d2-99d6-cc879c6c9eea.jpg?v=1721371454","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-virtues-of-our-vices-emrys-westacott-9780691162218","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}