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Searching For Courage Together: A Socially Scaffolded Account For Embodied Beings Like Us
October 23 | 4:30-6 p.m.
Humanities 220
In this talk I defend an empirically-grounded account of courage as an Aristotelian virtue. After a brief historical review, I present a view recently developed by Gopal Sreenivasan (2022), according to which courage is perseverance in the face of danger when and because the perseverance is worthwhile. I show that the account succeeds in solving a number of longstanding debates. Namely, it illuminates how fear regulation is involved in courage; why we judge cowardice as ethically worse than rashness; and how we can avoid the collapse of courage as a proper, wholehearted virtue into mere self-control. However, I argue that this view is not fully satisfying, insofar as it offers a highly idealized and intellectual picture of the courageous agent, and is completely silent on the mechanisms through which we manage to regulate our fears. Fear’s behavioral outputs and expressions constitute the most vivid reminder that we are made of flesh and blood (and guts). Relatedly, we are social beings, and social-scientific and historical evidence shows that courage is often acquired collectively, felt jointly, and scaffolded socially.
Lecture Series
The Department of Philosophy hosts its annual speakers series, which brings visiting scholars to Richmond over the course of the academic year to present lectures or seminars. These events are free and open to the public. This year, several noted philosophers are scheduled to visit the University of Richmond.
Next Lecture:
What is Property Disobedience?
Presented by: William Scheuerman, James H. Rudy Professor of Philosophy
Indiana University (Bloomington)
Monday, October 7, 4:30 p.m.
Humanities Commons 220
Classics & Philosophy Library & Study
The Department of Philosophy has teamed up with the Department of Classical Studies to provide a library that features classical texts and comfortable study space for students. The library features wall-to-wall oak shelves, overflowing with texts, translations, and scholarly books, and is a comfortable place to read, prepare for class, or meet with professors and fellow students.
Faculty Highlights
David Lefkowitz, professor of philosophy and PPEL, published "A New Philosophy for International Legal Skepticism?" in International Theory.
View BioDavid Lefkowitz, professor of philosophy and PPEL, published "Civil Liability for Civil Disobedience" in Annual Review of Law and Ethics.
View BioDavid Lefkowitz, professor of philosophy and PPEL, published "Political Feasibility and a Global Climate Treaty" in Ethics, Policy and Environment.
View BioDavid Lefkowitz, professor of philosophy and PPEL, published "State Consent and the Legitimacy of International Law" in Consenting to International Law.
View BioUpcoming Events
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
Department of Philosophy
University of Richmond
Humanities Building
106 UR Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8735
Fax: (804) 287-6053
Department Chair: Dr. Miriam McCormick
Academic Administrative Coordinator: Shelby DeWalle