The Possibility of Virtue

Abstract

To have a virtue is to possess a certain kind of trait of character that is appropriate in pursuing the moral good at which the virtue aims. Human beings are assumed to be capable of attaining those traits. Yet, a number of scholars are skeptical about the very existence of such character traits. They claim a sizable amount of empirical evidence in their support. This article is concerned with the existence and explanatory power of character as a way to assess the possibility of achieving moral virtue, with particular attention paid to business context. I aim to unsettle the so-called situationist challenge to virtue ethics. In the course of this article, I shall defend four claims, namely, that virtues are more than just behavioral dispositions, that at least some virtues may not be unitary traits, that psychologists cannot infer virtues from overt behavior, and that the situationist data do not account for the observational equivalence of traits. Since it rests on a misconception of what virtue is, the situationist objection remains unconvincing.

What is Virtue? Advancing the Conceptualization of Virtue to Inform Positive Organizational Inquiry

“…Furthermore, individual-level virtues have been positioned as both stable traits (e.g. Alzola, 2012;Dahlsgaard, Peterson, & Seligman, 2005), and as fluid, changeable states (e.g. Dutton, Roberts, & Bednar, 2010;Sison, Hartman, & Fontrodona, 2012;Weaver, 2006).…”

“…Specifically, we will discuss how the work of Aristotle and numerous virtue ethicists that have followed (e.g. Alzola, 2012;Audi, 2012;Beadle, Sison, & Fontrodona, 2015;Fontrodona, Sison, & Bruin, 2013;MacIntyre, 1999;Solomon, 1993), can provide depth to our understanding of virtue. Furthermore, we will integrate a critical realist lens to provide a deep ontology that allows us to clearly articulate the emergent qualities of virtue in a way that captures the depth of AVE while remaining tangible enough to enable further theorizing and empirical investigation within the socially scientific field of POI.…”

Conceptualization and Measurement of Virtuous Leadership: Doing Well by Doing Good

“…Cavanagh and Bandsuch (2002) expanded this view to argue that virtuous persons, including those in leadership positions, are naturally inclined to enjoy behaving ethically, which is aligned with the notion that they grasp and are especially sensitive to the morally salient features of situations (Alzóla, 2012;Johnson, 2009). Empirically, positive relationships between four Aristotelian cardinal virtues (prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice) and ethical leadership behaviors have been found among managers from a variety of industries (Riggio et al, 2010).…”

“…As reflected in the definitions of the virtues provided earlier, we argue that the expression of virtue is somewhat context dependent, though this is a matter of ongoing debate. For example, both Alzóla (2012) and MacIntyre (1984) argued that holding a virtue entails expressing it across a broad range of situations, while Juurikkala (2012) and Whetstone (2005) suggested that virtuous behavior is at least partially context dependent. Our perspective is in line with their view.…”

“…Specifically, as explained earlier, practicing virtues should enhance a leader's referent power ─ an especially impactful form of influence. Virtuousness should also guide leaders to exercise power prudently, judiciously and humanely without selfaggrandizement (Alzóla, 2012;Bass and Steidlmeier, 1999). Secondly, leaders who are trusted and respected by those around them (Gao et al, 2011) gain idealized influence, enhancing their effectiveness (Bass and Riggio, 2006).…”