Back to results

Virginia Tech

Aristotle's Virtues of Justice, Liberality, and Friendship and How they Reduce the Problems of Global Governance and Contribute Positively to its Goals

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This Project focuses on the intersection between Virtue Ethics and Global Governance. Virtue Ethics focuses on the character and actions of those in power, specifically in the administration of moral and intellectual virtues. Global governance addresses the problems of authority, legitimation, and contestation, as seen from the perspective of author Michael Zürn. In the primary text, Zürn argues for the existence of such issues as legitimation, contestation, fragmentation, and politicization. The virtues of justice, friendship, and generosity can alleviate each of these problems. Through genuine friendship, not driven by self-interest, the problems associated with certain authority relationships are alleviated. Justice seeks to mitigate the issues of a lack of a shared social purpose in legitimation narratives. Generosity in aiming to give to the right sources alleviates the problems of social capital and trade regulations. Each of these virtues contributes to the primary goal of the project, which is to enhance the common good and promote human flourishing within the governance system.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Political Science
Department dc:contributor.department
Political Science
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2025

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Vaughn, Rebekah Lynn
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Wendt, Fabian Oliver
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Weisband, Edward
  • Zanotti, Laura

Subjects

dc:subject × 8

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:43144
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/129382

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Vaughn, Rebekah Lynn. Aristotle's Virtues of Justice, Liberality, and Friendship and How they Reduce the Problems of Global Governance and Contribute Positively to its Goals. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2025. https://hdl.handle.net/10919/129382