From Morality to Virtue
From Morality to Virtue (1992) by Michael Slote argues for grounding ethics in virtue rather than rules, and highlights the neglected “self–other asymmetry” in modern moral theory.
Core Idea
Slote contends that common-sense morality and rule-based theories overemphasize duties to others while ignoring or undervaluing duties to oneself. A virtue-based approach — evaluating actions by the admirable traits they express — restores balance, treating prudence and self-regard as genuine ethical concerns.
Why It Matters for Critical Thinking
Surfaces a hidden bias in how we frame ethics: by naming the self–other asymmetry, it prompts you to check whether a moral framework is lopsided, and to reason about obligations to yourself as seriously as those to others.