Pursuit of excellence

Definition

The pursuit of excellence refers to the ongoing commitment to achieving the highest standards in one's character, actions, and contributions to society. This concept emphasizes the importance of virtue ethics, where individuals strive to cultivate personal virtues and engage in practices that lead to moral and intellectual growth, ultimately benefiting both themselves and their communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The pursuit of excellence is central to virtue ethics, which asserts that character development is crucial for ethical living.
2. Alasdair MacIntyre argues that excellence is best understood within the context of traditions that inform and shape moral practices.
3. In pursuing excellence, individuals often engage with their communities and traditions, which helps them cultivate virtues that are socially relevant.
4. MacIntyre highlights that modern society often undermines the pursuit of excellence due to fragmented values and a focus on individualism.
5. Excellence is not only a personal goal but also a communal one; fostering environments where collective growth and moral development can flourish is essential.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of the pursuit of excellence relate to MacIntyre's view on virtue ethics?
  • MacIntyre connects the pursuit of excellence to virtue ethics by emphasizing that it is through the development of personal virtues that individuals can achieve moral growth. He argues that virtues are cultivated within specific traditions, which provide the context for understanding what it means to pursue excellence. By engaging with these traditions, individuals can navigate moral dilemmas and contribute positively to their communities.
• Discuss the role of tradition in shaping one's understanding of excellence according to MacIntyre.
  • Tradition plays a crucial role in shaping one's understanding of excellence as it provides a framework within which virtues are defined and valued. MacIntyre posits that our moral practices and concepts of what constitutes a good life are deeply rooted in the traditions we inherit. By learning from these traditions, individuals can develop a clearer sense of purpose in their pursuit of excellence, grounding their actions in a broader historical and cultural context.
• Evaluate the impact of modern society's focus on individualism on the pursuit of excellence as described by MacIntyre.
  • MacIntyre argues that modern society's emphasis on individualism significantly undermines the pursuit of excellence. This focus leads to a fragmented understanding of virtues, where personal success often takes precedence over communal well-being. As individuals prioritize self-interest over collective values, they may lose sight of the importance of character development rooted in tradition. Ultimately, this shift can result in ethical confusion and a diminished capacity for genuine moral growth.

Related terms

Virtue Ethics: A philosophical approach that focuses on the development of good character traits or virtues as the basis for ethical behavior.

Eudaimonia: A Greek term often translated as 'flourishing' or 'well-being', representing the ultimate goal of human life in virtue ethics, achieved through the pursuit of excellence.

Tradition: The transmission of cultural, philosophical, and moral practices and beliefs that shape an individual's understanding of virtue and excellence over time.