It is not always the same thing, to be a good man and a good citizen.
Aristotle
Political activists number among the great heroes of the modern world. However, in contrast to work on military contexts, and to research looking at the role of emotions in recruiting people into political activism, there is almost no serious, empirical academic work which seeks to understand the role that conceptions of personal virtue (as opposed to the moral dimensions of political causes) play in sustaining activism.
Through this research, we will look at the role of virtues in political activism and consider their complex relationship to practice, ideology and community. By exploring how activists talk about themselves and their fellow travellers, the project will develop a rich, storied account of whether and how ancient virtues are reflected in contemporary political contention.
We want to listen to the stories, anecdotes and narratives that those interested in political change think are interesting, important, funny and moving.
The project began in earnest in Spring 2014, so is currently in its early stages. Our ideas have already come a long way from where we started and will continue to develop over the coming years; this website will reflect its evolution. Our intention is to use this space to explore ideas about the relationship between virtue and activism, to chart the blind alleys we will inevitably go down as well as chronicle moments of breakthrough. It is also a space for debate and discussion, so get in touch and let us know what you think, or what you want to know about the project.
Through this research, we will look at the role of virtues in political activism and consider their complex relationship to practice, ideology and community. By exploring how activists talk about themselves and their fellow travellers, the project will develop a rich, storied account of whether and how ancient virtues are reflected in contemporary political contention.
We want to listen to the stories, anecdotes and narratives that those interested in political change think are interesting, important, funny and moving.
The project began in earnest in Spring 2014, so is currently in its early stages. Our ideas have already come a long way from where we started and will continue to develop over the coming years; this website will reflect its evolution. Our intention is to use this space to explore ideas about the relationship between virtue and activism, to chart the blind alleys we will inevitably go down as well as chronicle moments of breakthrough. It is also a space for debate and discussion, so get in touch and let us know what you think, or what you want to know about the project.