Presentation
The international workshop on Linda Zagzebski (University of Oklahoma), entitled Exemplarist Moral Theory, originates from her book, published under the same title, in 2017, by Oxford University Press. This publication has been the culmination of an intense debate on moral exemplarity founded on the emotion of admiration; and has had, in turn, a great subsequent impact on the literature devoted to virtue ethics; and, more specifically, to moral education.
Zagzebski, a pioneer in the virtue epistemology, aware of the poor motivational success of preceding rationalist theories, puts forward a theory of moral exemplarity that reduces the gap between the theoretical purposes of moral philosophy and the practical purpose of motivating us to live a good life. She has been among the first to favor the restoration of the emotion of admiration after a long neglect. Thus, we find ourselves before a novel attempt of special relevance for virtue ethics anchored in the following critical shift: we do not call a trait a virtue because we desire it, but because we admire it. It is curious, says the author, therefore, that even those moral philosophers who bestow so much attention on virtue rarely say anything about its admirability or about the emotion that detects it. Our philosopher constructs a theory in which the admirable is more basic than the desirable, reversing the priority that Aristotle proposes in his Nicomachean Ethics.
The emotion of admiration is a kind of attraction that carries with it the impetus to emulate. It leads us to identify exemplars, that is, to identify persons who have brought human capabilities to their highest/excellent level -especially saints, heroes, and sages, according to the author-. Also, it " has the potential to give us both the theoretical resources needed to chart a map of moral terms and the desire to be like the exemplar in being a good person ourselves.”
Thus, another novelty is that Zagzebski redirects the classical methodology of moral philosophy towards a connection with our natural moral evolutionary development, in tune with a much longed-for educational realism. We apprehend ideals and values, certainly, but these are embodied in people who are models and who invite us to be like them: "We define ourselves, not just by what we are, but by that to which we aspire." Likewise, if the concepts in a formal ethical theory are rooted in a person, then the narratives and descriptions about that person are morally revealing. Here she connects broadly with the character education theory that is so influential in current approaches to moral education.
After several years of intense debate, which can be read in recent high impact academic literature, we shall be able to learn about and discuss Zagzebski’s point of view as she returns to the subject and explores new avenues. Some of the objections are along the following lines: Is admiration infallible to detect people with good moral traits? Have we not sometimes admired people who have then turned out to be violent? Do we not need a certain background in practical wisdom before exposing ourselves to exemplars? Does admiration invite only to emulate or imitate? Are not saints or heroes sometimes morally repellent or not very human? What is, finally, a moral exemplar?
Useful information
The Workshop will be in English, with simultaneous translation to spanish of the main lectures and delivery of each speaker's document, previously translated.
It is important to bring a cell phone or tablet and headphones to access the translation link.
The papers, in Spanish or English, previously selected by the scientific committee, will be published as a book chapter in a prestigious publishing house.
Dates of interes
Submission of papers: until February 1st , 2024 (extended deadline until february 27th)
End of general registration: March 4th , 2024
Evaluation of contributions and notification: will be done continuously as contributions are received.
Publication of the final program: February 26th , 2024
Deadline for submission of papers accepted for publication: September 4th, 2024. (Use oficial guidelines in Communications section)