For a psychological study of moral virtues

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to advocate the importance of psychological studies of the moral virtues (such as generosity, courage, modesty, faithfulness, etc.). This argument is proposed by several ways. From the philosophical viewpoint, the theme of virtues is not only classical (see Aristotle, for example), but has been revisited by contemporary authors dissatisfied with the limitations of modern ethics, largely based on the concept of rights. From the psychological point of view, the author defends the idea that moral virtues not only participate in the genesis of morality, but also represent essential features of character to the cohesion of the moral personality. Such perspective is, to some extent, announced in Piaget’s work about moral judgement, as well as by other authors such as Tugendhat. The same perspective is also presented in studies on the relationship between ethics and the feeling of shame. Finally, it is remarked that, in what concerns moral education, the virtues can be a rich and suggestive topic for reflection by children and adolescents.