Abstract
This article has two interrelated aims. First we explore a novel conceptual analysis of the “unity” of the virtues. Virtues come in clusters differentiated by broad functions within overall character. We identify three such clusters—virtues of intelligent caring, virtues of willpower, and virtues of humility. Virtues within a cluster are “unified” by some commonality, e.g., justice, compassion, and truthfulness all are kinds of intelligent caring. The allocentric virtues, a sub-class of the virtue of intelligent caring, are forms of intelligent caring about people. Virtues of willpower are capacities to manage impulses: desires, emotions, and habits. Virtues of humility are absences of vices of pride. These clusters support and exploit one another in a healthy character. Second, we explore whether empirical psychology can support conceptual analysis such as we propose. Our discussion of the conceptual analysis and empirical studies of the relations between pairs of allocentric virtues illustrates this exploration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 208-226 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Theory and Psychology |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/ or publication of this article: This publication was made possible through the support of grants from the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust. The opinions expressed in it are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of John Templeton Foundation or the Templeton Religion Trust.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, © The Author(s) 2018.
Keywords
- Compassion
- forgiveness
- generosity
- humility
- unity of virtues
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology
- History and Philosophy of Science