{"product_id":"9781400839506","title":"The Virtues of Our Vices: A Modest Defense of Gossip, Rudeness, and Other Bad Habits","description":"\u003cp\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?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Princeton University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47137795932400,"sku":"9781400839506","price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781400839506_p0.jpg?v=1763713537","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781400839506","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}