#1077 Blaine Fowers: The Science of Virtue

Mar 28, 2025

Blaine Fowers, a Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Miami, discusses the ethical dimensions of psychology and co-authored 'The Science of Virtue.' He delves into virtue theory, exploring how virtues impact character and are shaped by cultural contexts. The conversation unpacks Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and critiques the individualistic tendencies in American psychology. Fowers emphasizes the importance of community in fostering virtues and shares insights on educational interventions that promote genuine happiness through altruism.

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INSIGHT

Virtue Theory

Virtue theory posits that virtues are character aspects that enable consistent best actions.
These actions, in turn, allow individuals to pursue the best life possible.

INSIGHT

Virtues as Traits

Psychologically, virtues are classified as traits, distinct from personality, involving practical wisdom.
They are habitual ways of living, developed through practice, not solely genetic dispositions.

INSIGHT

Science of Virtue

Psychology offers empirical methods to study virtue, focusing on factual human behavior.
This complements philosophy's theoretical approach, providing data to verify or disconfirm viewpoints.

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Dr. Blaine Fowers is Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Miami. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. His primary scholarly interest is in exploring the ethical dimension of psychology, both in research and practice. He is coauthor (together with Bradford Cokelet and Nathan Leonhardt) of The Science of Virtue: A Framework for Research.

In this episode, we focus on The Science of Virtue. We discuss virtue theory, what the virtues are, how to develop a science of virtue, and how virtues vary cross-culturally. We talk about whether there is a list of virtues, moral values in science, eudaimonia, and the STRIVE-4 model of virtue. Finally, we discuss the intellectual and practical goals of the science of virtue, and its future.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, IGOR N, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, PER KRAULIS, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, MASOUD ALIMOHAMMADI, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, STARRY, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航豊川, TONY BARRETT, BENJAMIN GELBART, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, AND TED FARRIS!

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