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Aristotle’s Theory of the Virtues of Temperance, Courage, and Generosity as Part of a Universal Model for Leadership Practices Today

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Leadership through the Classics

Abstract

Aristotle’s theory of the virtues of self-control, courage, and generosity are still applicable to good leadership practices today. These virtues are crucial in this context because they are connected to the most basic human drives: self-control in relation to eating, drinking, and sex; courage in relation to situations involving various fears; and generosity, the virtue in relation to sharing valuable things with others. Although these virtues tend to be considered personal, they play a crucial role in the development of every social and political institution, including large and small businesses. Aristotle’s model of human excellence is one good starting point for developing a universal model of good leadership.

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Further Reading

  • Beck, M. (2006a). Tragedy and the philosophical life: A response to Martha Nussbaum/Vol. II, The Republic. Lewiston: E. Mellen Press.

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  • Beck, M. (2006b). Tragedy and the philosophical life: A response to Martha Nussbaum/Vol. III, Phaedrus and Symposium. Lewiston: E. Mellen Press.

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  • Beck, M. (2008a). The quest for wisdom in Plato and Carl Jung: A comparative study of the healers of the soul. Lewiston: E. Mellen Press.

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  • Beck, M. (2008b). Interpreting Sophocles’ Philoctetes through Aristotle’s theory of tragedy: How do we educate people to be wise? Lewiston: E. Mellen Press.

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  • Cooper, J., & Hutchinson, D. S. (Eds.). (1997). Plato complete works. Indianapolis: Hackett.

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  • Barnes, Jonathan, (Ed.) (1995). The complete works of Aristotle (Vol. 2) Bollingen series, (pp. 1986–2129). Princeton: Princeton University Press.

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  • Sophocles. (1969). Philoctetes. In D. Grene & R. A. Lattimore (Eds.), Sophocles II (pp. 195–254). Chicago/London: University of Chicago Press.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philosophy Department, Lyon College, Batesville, AR, USA

    Martha C. Beck

Authors
  1. Martha C. Beck
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Correspondence to Martha C. Beck .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Howe School of Technology Management, Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, Hoboken, 07030, New Jersey, USA

    Gregory P. Prastacos

  2. and Economics, Economic Cooperation and Development, University of International Business, Huixin Dongjie, Chaoyang District 10, Beijing, China, People's Republic

    Fuming Wang

  3. , Business Faculty, Higher Colleges of Technology, Women's Campus, Dubai, 16062, Utd.Arab.Emir.

    Klas Eric Soderquist

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Beck, M.C. (2012). Aristotle’s Theory of the Virtues of Temperance, Courage, and Generosity as Part of a Universal Model for Leadership Practices Today. In: Prastacos, G., Wang, F., Soderquist, K. (eds) Leadership through the Classics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32445-1_10

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