An Aristotelian Theory of Family

Abstract

An Aristotelian Theory of FamilyOur purpose is to apply Aristotelian theory to family studies. We introduce Aristotle's work through his debate with Plato over the meaning of family and its role in society. We then explain key concepts in Aristotelian theory, including virtue, practical wisdom, telos, interpretation and evaluation, agency, and human development. We propose an Aristotelian conceptualization of family as a multigenerational institution of mutual responsibility, defined in part through narrative and oriented around developing virtue and helping members reach their potential. Finally, we identify family virtues and consider implications of Aristotelianism for social research, with particular attention to how Aristotle's work provides an epistemological basis for narrative research in general and for case study research in particular. Aristotle's Ideas About FamilyAristotle and Plato famously debated whether it is good for society that people be organized into families. In his Republic, Plato (2012, 449c-461e) took the position that family must be abolished-at least for members of the ruling class. Instead, these individuals should place their entire allegiance to the state to avoid conflicting loyalties. For example, men would share all of the women, and children would be taken from their mothers at birth and raised

Building Novel Supply Chain Theory Using “Metaphorical Imagination”

“…Although a case for aptness may be made, the friendship metaphor lacks sufficient interestingness to underpin programmatic research of supply chain linkages or warrant re‐enlivenment through pathway 1. This evaluation is partly made in light of the evaluation of the productivity of the existing metaphor of marriage which also captures the virtue ethics perspective within its theorization of successful romantic relationships or marriages (e.g., Novak et al, 2018; Powers, 2001; Veldorale‐Brogan et al, 2013) and broader family networks (e.g., Goodsell & Whiting, 2016). In light of our evaluation of the marriage metaphor as rich, interesting as well as apt, the friendship metaphor does not offer significant value in terms of interestingness beyond what is already available to supply chain theorists through the re‐enlivened marriage metaphor.…”

Way of being and the therapeutic pyramid: Expanding the application of a common factors meta‐model

“…If the other is an object, there is little motivation to honor a relationship with it, but if the other is a person of value, then motivation kicks in to do the hard work required to be one's best self and sacrifice for the relationship. This takes moral work of being patient, honest, or kind, but it is just this kind of virtue development that couples and families value (Goodsell & Whiting, 2016). Being good is not about moralizing or judging, it is about trying to be one's best self for others.…”

An Aristotelian view of therapists' practice in multifamily therapy for young adults with severe eating disorders

“…48 ‘Aristotelianism provides a coherent framework for social science research and the study of families that includes virtues, values, goals and “the good” in relationships’. 34 We believe that the focus on the agent’s view of her life, the role of emotions and the reflection on human flourishing provides virtue ethics with resources that are particularly suitable for therapists in an MFT setting.…”

“…While studies 19,31–33 indicate that MFT is effective in treating children and adolescents, there have been few studies regarding MFT for severely eating disordered adults 9,10,27–29 and most are quantitative. Goodsell and Whiting 34 suggest research following Aristotelian theory, such as observational research, participant observation studies or grounded theory studies exploring processes in families. The literature relating virtue ethics to professional practice is largely philosophical.…”