Virtuous Life Research Articles

El valor de la educación familiar. Una aproximación desde la obra La vanagloria, la educación de los hijos y el matrimonio de Juan Crisóstomo

The following writing is the result of the interest in identifying elements that contribute to the deepening of the essential values that concern the Christian family. To this end, this writing seeks to approach the practical life of Christians and answer the question: What function did education in the family serve for Christians in the 4th century and what echo does it have for Christian life today? In this logic we focus on the Christianity of Antioch, led by John Chrysostom, in his work: Vainglory, the Education of Children and Marriage, a work written between the years 393-394. In this work it is possible to find various themes in relation to family education, Christian formation and its impact on daily life, showing in it the possibility of witnessing to Christ and conceiving a virtuous life. Finally, this work presents in a general way the vision of marriage as an opportunity to fully live the Christian faith, and a necessary pedagogical place for every Christian. With this we will present a contextual outline of the work, followed by an analysis of the work, presentation of constitutive elements of marriage, family education and some conclusions regarding the current reality of the Christian family. From the exercise of reviewing this style of Christian life, some lines of inspiration will be identified to contribute to the renewal of Christian life today, particularly in the family orbit as a space and formative path to live the Christian faith in particular societies.

La vita privata del nobile romano Lorenzo de Cinque (1552–1618)

This profile of Lorenzo de Cinque’s private life in Rome at the end of the sixteenth century is derived from reminiscences in his Libro di Memorie, recently transcribed and published. It depicts the uneasy transformation from the moral freedom of pagan Rome to the formally virtuous life advocated by the Church of Rome after the Council of Trent (1545–1563), and also the practical consequences of the debt crisis which afflicted Rome at the end of the century.

Examining the Concept of Reincarnation in African Indigenous Religion Through the Lens of Pentecostal Eschatology

Reincarnation is the belief in ongoing birth and rebirth. The philosophy of African Traditional Religion centres on birth and rebirth, where previous life quality affects both. Infants are seen as resemble deceased grandparents, implying they may be reincarnated. This interpretation assumes that the departed ancestor lived a morally virtuous life and died at an advanced age to qualify for reincarnation in the family lineage. Conversely, a family member is hesitant to associate with someone who has lived a morally repugnant life. The aforementioned intellectual construct is related to Christian eschatology. Thus, eschatology and reincarnation must be thoroughly examined. This paper explains the similarities between African Traditional Religion and Pentecostal eschatology and sheds light on African philosophy. This study examines reincarnation in African indigenous religion through Pentecostal eschatology. The relationship between these two belief systems is examined to determine their similarities, differences, and potential effects on religious understanding and practices. The study employed a qualitative methodology, strictly descriptive analytical perspective and concludes that African indigenous religion and Pentecostal eschatology affect people's beliefs about the afterlife and spirituality. The study further shed light on religious syncretism, amalgamation, and how multiple belief systems interact within African spirituality.

HUMANISM IN THE NOVELS OF MULK RAJ ANAND

Humanism that introduced in the 14th century is in fact a movement which highlighted on the exploration of human being in this world. The main idea of humanism is to focus on how to lead a virtuous life in the society. So far as Renaissance humanism is concerned it is mainly a movement that started in Italy and spread to Europe in 14th century. Renaissance Humanism mainly spread by means of business and printing press. Emphasis on beauty and value of human’s individual life are the main issues of humanism during renaissance period. This research paper aims at discussing concept of humanism as seen in the works of Mulk Raj Anand. Moreover, it aims at discussing the impact of various incidents and movements upon him to become a writer of the oppressed class. Anand’s concern with the oppressed and the suppressed people and his zeal to uplift them will also be discussed in this research paper.

Sacramental Worship and the Life of Virtue

Sacramental Worship and the Life of Virtue

Thriving by Design: Can Behavioral Economics and Public Policy Shape Virtuous Lives?

ABSTRACT
 Drawing on behavioral economics, nudges (policy interventions based on choice architecture) have the capacity to strategically shape policymaking, subtly guiding individual behavior by adjusting their decision environment. Applied to enhance vaccinations, boost retirement savings, or promote healthy habits, these interventions align with consensus-defined well-being. As governments adopt nudges, scholars have explored their role in fostering virtues. This paper argues that nudges have the potential to efficiently contribute to virtuous development by instilling and sustaining habits, respecting individual choice, and ensuring deliberation. It introduces the concept of virtue nudges, emphasizing the alignment of habits with virtues for targeted behavioral change and the formation of morally virtuous habits.

Neo-Aristotelian Naturalism, Local Ethical Supervenience, and the Beneficial Character of Virtue

This article explores the ambivalent relationship of neo-Aristotelian naturalism to ethical supervenience. One of the main proponents of this approach, Michael Thompson, holds a position that leads to a rejection of local ethical supervenience. It is argued that this rejection implicitly undermines a premise held by other prominent neo-Aristotelian naturalists, such as Philippa Foot or Rosalind Hursthouse, who implemented Thompson’s species-relative logic of ethical evaluations into their theories. This premise—that there is a systematic connection between the virtuous life and the benefit of the individual—could be re-established if neo-Aristotelian naturalism abandoned the species-essentialist understanding of life-forms and instead accepted local ethical supervenience as an ethical frame of reference. Although this article derives its problem from the main works of the aforementioned authors, its interest lies not mainly in exegesis, but in the systematic discussion of the logical status and the functionality of the concept of life-form in neo-Aristotelian naturalism. This discussion will be enriched by the inclusion of the logical distinctions and insights from modern philosophical biology.

INTEGRITY AS A COMPONENT OF WORLDVIEW CULTURE AND A FACTOR OF CREATIVITY

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Philosophical reflections on the cultural-creative process are widely represented in both domestic and Western philosophical thought, particularly in the works of Y. Bystritskyi, M. Boichenko, S. Krymskyi, M. Kultaieva, N. Radionova, P. Sloterdijk, V. Sukhomlynskyi, and E. Fromm. Productive ideas regarding the formation of integrity and worldview culture in educational and upbringing practices are traced in the works of V. Bekh, M. Boichenko, N. Boichenko, Yu. Boychuk, N. Dyichyk, I. Dorozhko, M. Drobotenko, H. Korzh, S. Kremen, M. Kultaieva, N. Radionova, S. Pylypenko, S. Pustovit, and M. Tryniak. Despite the considerable attention from scholars, educators, and the public to the issue of integrity, the complexity of contemporary sociocultural development requires a comprehensive approach that considers both classical and modern scientific works, as well as encyclopedic publications on this subject. The research objective. This article attempts to demonstrate the humanistic potential of philosophy and education in constructing contemporary strategies of integrity as productive life-creation in various spheres of human existence. In the changing contexts of the present, it aims to justify the role of culture as a resource in shaping integrity at both social and individual levels. The article seeks to unfold the cultural-creative resource of integrity and its influence on modern educational and upbringing practices. The statement of basic materials. Despite diverse interpretations of the concept of integrity, it can be identified as a state of coherence and consistency between beliefs, decisions, and actions based on ethical values. In the philosophy of José Ortega y Gasset, a conception of noble life has emerged, characterized by active creativity, self-development, and the internal need for voluntary submission to a higher norm. Emphasizing duties over rights, Ortega y Gasset argues that “nobility obliges”. In contrast to virtuous noble life, he describes an inert state of relaxation, undisciplined behavior, irresponsibility, and an inability to adhere to any norms, even those considered ethical. This state is purposefully contrasted with integrity. Indicating that dishonesty is perilous for both individuals and society, it renders individuals defenseless against the influence of propaganda and manipulation. Society is also at risk of establishing authoritarian or totalitarian regimes. The organic connection between democracy and ethical principles is crucial, and courage is required to defend them despite associated risks. Education and art play significant roles in the pursuit of virtuous life. Theodor Adorno argues that they provide spaces where individuals can experience freedom. However, mass culture and semi-education may hinder individuals by culturally masking the antitheses of integrity.

Re-imagining the Past: Virtuous Life and Vitality in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian

Re-imagining the Past: Virtuous Life and Vitality in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian

Գրիգոր Սկևռացու աղոթքները

Grigor Archimandrite Skevratsi, a follower of the famous clergyman and theologian Nerses of Lambron, was one of the outstanding public, political and cultural figures of medieval Armenia, who in his literary, cultural, religious, social and pedagogical activities was a worthy disciple of his teacher and carried on the traditions establishedby him. Grigor Skevratsi is a multi-genre author. He wrote in practically every genre of spiritual literature and left a legacy of odes and Church Hymns (sharakan), orations and sermons, exhortations and prayers, interpretations and translations. The current paper presents the prayers of Grigor Skevatsi. His theory of prayer is directly derived from the teaching of the school of Narek Monastery which is evidence of a continuity of tradition. Grigor Skevratsi expressed his views on prayer as the highest moment of spiritual life in a number of works, in the theologicalpoem “Instruction on the true Faith and the Virtuous and Pure Life” (“Khrat” (exhortation) «Բան խրատու վասն ուղիղ հաւատոյ և մաքուր վարուց առաքի-նութեան» («Խրատ»)), sermons, several small and large prayers. Skevratsi's prayers testify to his deep faith and high spiritual level.

The Origins of the Jesuit Authority and Influence at the Court of Emperors Wanli (1572–1620), Shunzi (1644–1661) and Kangxi (1661–1722) and in the Wider Circles of the Chinese Society in the Light of the Works of Thomas Szpot Dunin (1644–1713)

The article analyzes the role of authority in the Jesuit modus operandi in China in the early modern period as it can be deduced from the works of Tomasz Szpot Dunin SJ (1644–1713), in particular from his Historiae Sinarum Imperii (ARSI, Jap. Sin 102; Jap. Sin. 103) and Collectanea Historiae Sinensis (ARSI, Jap. Sin 104; Jap. Sin. 105 I; Jap. Sin. 105 II). The manuscripts contain a detailed description of the Jesuit method of working in a very challenging cultural and political environment in which the question of authority played a predominant role. For Matteo Ricci and his followers, the goal of their missionary work was to plant Christianity in China, but it could have been done only by everyday efforts to win the acceptance of the court and of the wider circles of the Chinese society. The article enumerates and discusses the seven dimensions of Jesuit authority which are broadly divided into two types, namely, the secular authority (auctoritas profana) and the sacred authority (auctoritas sacra). The former found its expression primarily in a proper dress code and grooming, dignified posture, solemn facial expression and impeccable social manners. These were combined with limited use of physical force for self-defence and willingness to offer their military expertise when deemed necessary to promote the missionary goals. Furthermore, the Jesuits lived a virtuous life combined with charity manifested towards the poor, especially in time of natural disasters and social unrest. However, the authority they exercised among the Confucian mandarinate was based on their distinguished literary skills, remarkable command of Chinese and practical understanding of international diplomacy which enabled them to serve as cultural and political brokers. Finally, the Jesuit exercised the form of authority which was divinely mandated as they were the teachers of the Divine Law (Magistri Legis Divinae), which, for the Chinese Emperors, who were regarded as the Sons of Heaven (Tianzi or Huangdi) was tantamount to the knowledge of astronomy.

Sharing and Caring


 Muslim women dedicate themselves to Islamic educational activities as an important aspect of their religious engagement, and pious Muslim Danish women are no exception. One important element of this engagement appears to be the sharing of the knowledge gained with younger generations. In this paper, I scrutinize this aspect of contemporary Danish Muslim piety, asking how and why Danish Muslim women ‘pass on’ knowledge to children. I show that this transmission should be seen as a way of caring for the children as part of the Muslim community, and that this way of caring appears especially important in a setting where Islam is practiced as a minority religion. At the same time, the sharing of knowledge should be perceived as a virtuous practice, given that it is an aspect of the women’s own efforts to live virtuous lives.

The Stoic Conception of Philosophy as an Art of Living and the Pursuit of Moral Beauty

The Stoics argue that philosophy as an art of living (techne) is not only a theoretical and intellectual pursuit of knowing the rational order and harmony (or logos) of nature/physics/God but it is also a practical activity that aims to transform and shape our lives in accordance with this knowledge. In this sense, the Stoics argue that philosophy is not an abstract subject to be considered but rather a practical matter that has a direct influence on our way of living. Based on this main Stoic conception of philosophy, in this paper, I fundamentally take issue with the general claim about the the Stoic moralism entails that philosophy is solely grounded on the purpose of achieving moral virtue, suggesting that all other elements are excluded from its purview. By arguing that Stoic moralism is not contrasted with the conception of moral beauty, I adopt the view that Stoic moralism is not free from the conception of beauty, such that it encapsulates the idea that beauty is within the virtuous. In light of this, I focus on the conception of philosophy and suggest that, for the Stoics, although the ultimate goal of philosophy is to lead a virtuous life that is grounded on our understanding of the rational order and harmony (or logos) of nature, the philosophical life does also correspond to a moral life, which has the aesthetic aspect of embellishing our lives with beauty, harmony, and order.

“Misfitting” and Friendship in the Virtuous Life: Neurodiversity and Moral Formation

The self-reported experiences of autistic individuals invite ways of thinking about moral character and moral formation that challenge Christians to rethink a number of traditional claims regarding the virtues. This paper argues that attention to autism requires rethinking accounts of growth in virtue that depend on normative views of social interactions such as friendship. Drawing on scholarship in disability studies and testimony from autistic participants in an IRB-supported research study, I contend that the phenomenon of “misfitting” put forth in the work of Rosemarie Garland-Thomson (2011) plays a constructive and essential role in shaping virtuous character.

ON ERICH FROMM’S VIRTUE ETHICS

Fromm’s ethics can be viewed as a form of virtue ethics, which emphasizes the importance of developing one’s true self and reducing one's false self. By doing so, one can change their psychological state in terms of character and psychological tendencies, leading to an improved moral life and higher moral standards. While some criticisms have been raised about virtue theory, including its perceived inability to guide one on how to act properly, Fromm's virtue ethics is unique in that it does not focus on establishing universal rules for specific actions. Instead, it seeks to establish universal laws for human behavioral tendencies or trends. Through his unique social psychology, Fromm provides an in-depth analysis of the inner world of man, which can serve as a valuable guide to the general direction of human development and freedom. In addition, Fromm’s virtue ethics also highlights the importance of social relationships and the impact they have on our moral development. He argues that our relationships with others can have a profound effect on our psychological state and our ability to live virtuously. Overall, Fromm’s virtue ethics provides a unique perspective on human development and morality. By focusing on the development of one’s true self and the importance of social relationships, his approach offers a valuable guide to living a fulfilling and virtuous life.

Adolescents’ moral self-cultivation through emulation: Implications for modelling in moral education

ABSTRACT This paper aims to offer a new perspective on role modelling by examining adolescents’ own efforts to lead a morally virtuous life. While traditional approaches to moral education emphasize the importance of teachers as role models, this study proposes a shift in focus towards adolescents’ own role models. Drawing on the philosophical concept of moral self-cultivation and psychological insights on identity development and social cognitive learning, it is argued that adolescents have the ability to cultivate their moral character by emulating others. However, empirical evidence suggests that adolescents often do not perceive teachers as their role models. Consequently, moral educational theories are advised to demand less of teachers as role models. Teachers could invest more time in understanding students’ personal role models and encourage them to compare these role models with their own behavior. By acknowledging and addressing students’ role models, teachers can facilitate the moral self-cultivation of adolescents.

Aṭṭhāsila: Embracing Buddhist Virtues at Gentha Dharma Prabhassa Monastery for Holistic Benefits

The practice of Aṭṭhāsila holds significant importance for Buddhists at the Gentha Dharma Prabhassa monastery, becoming an eagerly awaited annual program before the Tri-Holy Vesak Day. This study aims to delve into Buddhist perspectives on Aṭṭhāsila, its implementation, and the benefits it offers. Employing a qualitative descriptive method with an ethnographic approach, the research showcases the profound enthusiasm of Buddhists at the monastery towards the Aṭṭhāsila program. The findings demonstrate that the practice of Aṭṭhāsila not only enriches the individual lives of practitioners but also exerts positive influences on the economic well-being of their households (gharavasa). This study sheds light on the holistic impact of Aṭṭhāsila, revealing its significance in fostering a meaningful and virtuous life within the Buddhist community at the Gentha Dharma Prabhassa monastery. this study adds valuable knowledge to the field of religious studies, shedding light on the significance of Aṭṭhāsila in fostering spiritual growth, social harmony, and economic well-being within the context of the Buddhist community.

The Natural Tendency for Wide and Careful Listening: Exploring the Relationship Between Open-Mindedness and Psychological Science.

We take open-mindedness to be a component of intellectual humility, as much of the recent empirical literature regarding intellectual humility does but contrary to what some philosophers think. More particularly, we understand intellectual humility as having a self-directed component, which is concerned primarily with the regulation of confidence we have on our own epistemic goods and capacities, and an other-directed component, which is concerned primarily with one's epistemic openness to others so to improve one's epistemic situation. Given that the open-minded person is disposed give new ideas serious consideration, it is crucial that she both listens widely and carefully to other's ideas. In this paper, we examine whether there is evidence to suggest that we have a natural, evolved tendency for this wide and careful listening related to open-mindedness. We conclude that there is indication of a natural tendency for wide listening, especially an in-group tendency. However, careful listening lacks more substantive empirical studies. It seems that human infants are much more inclined to be charitable and attentive to in-group cues or opinions. This is important evidence to deconstruct the idea of a natural tendency of virtuous intellectual humility that opens up the discussion for the role of social learning in cultivating and maintaining a virtuous life.

Counter-Narrative as a Powerful Narrative Technique for the Voice of the Voiceless in The Palace of Illusions

India is a land of myth and legends. Indian epics are archives of our history and precedent culture which depicts what happened in the times of yore. They tell us about the events and developments that shaped our culture. Epics dole out as a testimony of our culture. Many Indian writers craft their plot from epics of Hindu mythology which is used as a literary device. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni uses Hindu mythology in her works broadly to instill audacity in her woman protagonists. She tries to demonstrate how myths steer women to surmount their conflicts in life. Her novels explicate how myths instruct humanity to lead a virtuous life. Draupadi, the heroine of The Mahabharata is presented through a fictional perspective in Divakaruni’s novel The Palace of Illusions, (2008). It is a retelling of The Mahabharata, from the perspective of Draupadi. She breaks the stereotype of a conventional heroine in Indian literature. Counter-narration is a method of telling the stories of those people whose experiences are not often misrepresented or untold. It is also a tool for uncovering, examining, and stimulating mainstream historical texts. The author uses counter-narrative techniques in the novel to counter the position of women in The Mahabharata era addressing the prejudice, difficulties, and the male dominance that they had experienced. A descriptive analysis enumerates upon the author’s use of the counter-narrative technique in the novel through a detailed description of plot, settings, and characterization. Divakaruni midst of suffering has overcome the predicaments she faced challenging the old age convention that women must accept tradition and society without questioning. Draupadi could endeavour the subversion where most women would have given up. Narrative technique is the art of narrating a story in a literary work by using various techniques. The narrative technique is vastly an aesthetic enterprise. The feature of the narrative includes characters with clear personalities or identities and integrated dialogues. Through Draupadi’s life author dispels outdated notions about what it means to be a woman. The author explores the ancient and personal experiences of Draupadi, as distinct from the original Mahabharata. Draupadi ends up being the most nuanced and divisive female character in Hindu literature. Draupadi is an archetypal representation of the pain and humiliation a woman experiences in a patriarchal society. The lives of women have not changed over time, whether it is the ancient or the modern era. There are still challenges to overcome the situations that call for specific actions. The novel The Palace of Illusions demonstrates the hardships a princess-born woman had to endure.

PRACTICE OF QUEUEING AS A CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE FOR A FAIR SOCIETY

Alisdair MacIntyre argues that there are three stages of moral philosophical perspective for an individual. These are, the individual (1) being on a life-long quest towards a telos between birth and death, (2) who arrives in an inherited historical and social identity that is only partially constituted and (3) needs to exercise relevant virtues in one’s life. Departing from these three moral stages I build on Alasadair MacIntyre’s narrative in After Virtue with the purpose of focusing and highlighting one specific human practice. This practice is the practice of queueing and in this article I argue that it functions as a signpost for whether fear treatment is a shared societal practice that also must hinge on what MacIntyre labels to be an intelligible action. On his turn MacIntyre is known to criticize modernity, individualism as lacking morality making human survival beyond despair. MacIntyre perceives virtues as philosophical values and foresees that the collapse of a virtuous life is an inherent derivative of an unintelligible and unfair society. This article aims to demonstrate that queueing is an intelligible human action that is to be labelled as virtuous social order and a form of distribution of justice.