Journal of Economic Literature
Book Reviews
2026-08-28
Jonathan S. Feinstein of Yale University reviews “The Bourgeois Virtues: Ethics for an Age of Commerce” by Deirdre N. McCloskey,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Explores the possibility of virtue in American capitalism through a study of the good behavior of the bourgeoisie. Discusses the Christian and feminine virtues--love, faith, and hope; the pagan and masculine virtues--courage and temperance; the androgynous virtues--prudence and justice; systematizing the seven virtues; and the bourgeois uses of the virtues. McCloskey is Distinguished Professor of Economics, History, English, and Communication at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Index.”