Resumen

SANCHEZ HERNANDEZ, Arturo. The theory of virtue from an axiological approach. Rev Hum Med [online]. 2002, vol.2, n.3. ISSN 1727-8120.

The author begins mentioning the historical trajectory of the theory of virtue making a journey through the thinkers and currents of thought of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Later on, he defines methodological positions in relation to terms like autonomy and attitude, and outlines the main problem of the investigation: “What characteristics should human behavior and psychocological processes that precede it have, so that these characteristics are valuable from the ethical-moral point of view? In order to answer this query he calls to mind the theory of virtue and divides it into a system of principles gathered into four levels. The first level encloses the principles that, according to the author, allow to define the extension and the limits of the ethical-moral values domain, and the object of valuation from the perspective analyzed. In the second level are grouped the principles whose observation guarantees the effectiveness of behavior. The importance of this factor is stressed. In the third level, regarding the principle of justice, the problem of the social agent's responsibility to himself and to other people is considered, and the bases to evaluate the correlation among different social agents are proposed. In the fourth level, the principle of adherence to the demands of ethical-moral self-regulation, allows to evaluate the grade of affective commitment with the notion of what is fair or necessary. It is pointed out that a certain grade of affective commitment is indispensable so that the individual becomes a true bearer of moral and ethical values. After that, the relationship between the principles and levels of principles is approached arguing that among them there is a close unity and interrelation. Lastly the author makes reference to the existent relationship among the principles proposed with those denominated "cardinal virtues": strength, temperance, justice and wisdom

Palabras clave : PHILOSOPHY; SOCIAL VALUES.

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