John Baldari
Master of Arts degree student
Department of Philosophy, UNR
"Examining Loyalty: The Folk and the Philosopher"
Thursday, December 6, 2012, 4:00 p.m.
Edmund J. Cain Hall (EJCH) 108H
University of Nevada, Reno
In an age of individualism among modern people, classical concepts of loyalty have slipped into the background of the Great Conversation. While this may be true in the field of ethical philosophy, it is not true in folk parlance. Loyalty, when examined and well-reflected, is a virtue trait that when embodied can lead to good character.
Loyalness is “the quality or state of being loyal, the tendency toward loyalty.” Loyalness is a virtue derived from reason that if properly incorporated into life will lead to excellence. Loyalness is a trait of character that lends a hand making good decisions about the world as a whole. This is done through a tendency to create allegiances to objects with positive moral content. Through this tendency, the virtuous person is able to make decisions about morally ambiguous circumstances. In addition, in the event of negative moral cir-cumstances, a loyalty can be used to direct decisions in a consistent way. Loyalness is a way of making one larger than the finite limits of the self. Through good associations, one shares in the successes and defeats of the objects of loyalty. Loyalties must be tested, both through critical reflection and action. Loyalness does not assume that a particular loyalty need be costly, but it does imply that should a good loyalty become costly, the virtuous person will commit to the best interest of the object of loyalty, even at a disad-vantage.
*Please join in supporting John as he shares some of his formal MA Thesis*
Sponsored by: The Graduate Philosophy Association and the Graduate Student Association at the University of Nevada Reno
Free and open to the public