Toward human flourishing : character, practical wisdom, and professional formation.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Jones, Mark L., editor.

Lewis, Paul A. (Religion scholar), editor.

Reffitt, Kelly E., editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Moral education.

Education--Moral and ethical aspects.

Character.

Physical Description:

12 unnumbered pages, 291 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Macon, Georgia : Mercer University Press, [2013]

Summary:

This collection of essays and other materials grows from a series of interdisciplinary projects involving more than 150 faculty and a significant number of students from Mercer University's 11 colleges and schools between 2005 and 2010. The book explores the relevance to contemporary education of a number of Aristotelian convictions: Authentic human flourishing in community with others requires good character-the acquisition of an ensemble of deeply ingrained knowledge, skills, and dispositions by which a person makes good decisions that promote the good. The "master virtue" of practical wisdom (phronesis) lies at the heart of good character by conducting this ensemble in particular situations so that the agent "does the right thing in the right way at the right time." Notions of good character and practical wisdom are relevant for decision-making and action in personal, political, and professional contexts. Qualities of character can be learned by intentional, guided imitation so that one's reasoning, passions, and actions more closely resemble those of "moral experts." The development of good character and practical wisdom is intimately linked to, and shaped by, a sense of life's meaning and purpose. The development of good character and practical wisdom is intimately linked to, and shaped by, a sense of life's meaning and purpose. The development of good character, practical wisdom, and sense of identity occurs across all levels of education: preK-12, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education. In light of these investigations, this book calls educators-whether teacher, scholar, or administrator-to join together across disciplines and institutions to foster practical wisdom throughout the educational continuum. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I Character Development and Moral Formation 15

1 Contemporary Character Education in Context / Paul Lewis Lewis, Paul 17

2 Wisdom as Mature Moral Functioning: Insights from Developmental Psychology and Neurobiology / Darcia Narvaez Narvaez, Darcia 24

3 Developing the Ethical Thinker and Responsible Moral Agent / Thomas Lickona Lickona, Thomas 41

4 The Guilt They Carry / Nancy Sherman Sherman, Nancy 68

5 Uncovering the Hidden Values about Values Assessment: Assessing Student Dispositions in Teacher Education / Susan Malone Malone, Susan, Emilie Paille Paille, Emilie, Kelly Reffitt Reffitt, Kelly 92

Part II Professional Character and Professional Formation 99

6 Professionalism and Vocation Across the Professions / William Sullivan Sullivan, William 101

7 Forming Professionals and the Quest for Common Ground in the University / William May May, William 115

8 "God at Work": A Reflection on Vocation / John Dunaway Dunaway, John 134

9 Answering the Call to Service: Vocation and Professional Identity / Timothy Floyd Floyd, Timothy 139

10 Reform and Formation: Revisiting the Role of Liberal Education / Peter Brown Brown, Peter 143

11 Confronting the Three Apprenticeships / Jack Sammons Sammons, Jack 150

Part III Practical Wisdom in Practical Context 165

12 The War on Wisdom and How to Fight It / Barry Schwartz Schwartz, Barry, Kenneth Sharpe Sharpe, Kenneth 167

13 Practical Wisdom and Vocation in Professional Formation: A Schematic Account / Mark Jones Jones, Mark 193

14 Being Pragmatic about Practical Wisdom / David Ritchie Ritchie, David 199

15 Guidelines for Observing Practical Wisdom at Work / Jack Sammons Sammons, Jack 207.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780881464368

0881464368

OCLC:

828893354