Wit, Pomposity, Curiosity, and Justice: Some Virtues and Vices of Conversationalists

This chapter has two main aims. The first is to defend a virtue-theoretical characterisation of what makes a conversation good as a conversation. According to this view, excellent conversations are conversations that are carried out in the way in which virtuous conversationalists would execute them. The second is to sketch out accounts of some character traits that make a distinctive contribution to the epistemology of conversations. Two of these traits (wit and justice) are virtues that contribute to the success of conversations as vehicles for the exchange of information and to the strengthening of bonds of trust. Another trait (pomposity) is an obstacle to these kinds of conversational success. Finally, curiosity is a trait that promotes both conversational failings and successes.