Introduction to self, motivation and virtue studies

ABSTRACT

We introduce a special issue of articles that emerged from teams of interdisciplinary researchers, social scientists and philosophers, who were funded under the auspices of the Self, Motivation and Virtue Project (SMV; funded by Templeton Religion Trust). The articles in the special issue demonstrate nuance and complexity in the structure of virtuous motivations. Several articles examine the nature of virtue, specific virtues such as humility, perceptions of moral virtues and how they are shaped. Two articles address well-being or flourishing whereas two articles address aspects of life that limit or undermine virtue expression.

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KEYWORDS:

• self
• motivation
• virtue
• interdisciplinary
• philosophy
• psychology
• social science
• well-being
• flourishing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. SMV was funded by the Templeton Religion Trust. The views summarized here do not necessarily reflect the views of that foundation.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Templeton Religion Trust [n/a]. The views summarized here do not necessarily reflect the views of that foundation.

Notes on contributors

Darcia Narvaez

Darcia Narvaez is professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, who studies neurobiological and evolutionary influences on moral development.

Nancy E. Snow

Nancy E. Snow is Director of the Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma. She co-directs the Self, Virtue, and Public Life Project with Darcia Narvaez, and works in virtue ethics.