CULTURAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL MEANINGS OF VIRTUE

Abstract

This work attempts to explore the concept of virtue and identify diverse pathways of interaction between virtue and art, with a focus on their pivotal role in shaping the overall direction of personal and societal development. The role of virtue is examined as a concept encompassing moral and ethical values that form the foundations of cultural, religious, and philosophical beliefs, permeating the extensive history of European culture and moral philosophy. Particular attention is devoted to understanding virtue as a virtue, which entails qualities and character traits embodying moral values in an individual’s behavior. The article analyzes Ruth Benedict’s work “Patterns of Culture”, emphasizing the notion of cultural ethos and the significance of preserving cultural integrity. Each element of culture retains its influence and carries meaningful content within a specific sociocultural context. The article also endeavors to investigate the perspectives of philosophers Alasdair MacIntyre and Theodor Adorno concerning the nexus between art and virtue. According to MacIntyre, art and virtue are inextricably linked, as practices constitute an integral part of the process of forming virtue, providing the conceptual backdrop that furnishes a practical environment for the realization of virtues. Art, as a practice, possesses its own history, context, and tradition, thereby defining moral standards and values, demanding individuals’ development of virtues and abilities to attain a high standard of excellence and express the unique creative potential of an artist. Theodor Adorno, in turn, draws attention to the role of art as a space where individuals can experience genuine individual freedom, where they can think freely, imagine, contemplate new possibilities, and act spontaneously. He sees art as a potential avenue to contribute to our development towards greater social freedom, or conversely, to hinder it. Both philosophers recognize the significance of the connection between art and virtue, albeit they approach this relationship from varying perspectives – MacIntyre places greater emphasis on virtue development through practices, whereas Adorno accentuates the role of art in self-development on the path toward genuine individual freedom.