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Cultivation of Virtuousness and Self-actualization in the Workplace

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Handbook of Virtue Ethics in Business and Management

Part of the book series: International Handbooks in Business Ethics ((IHBE))

Abstract

In Aristotelian ethics, cultivation of virtuous or good behavior is the key to achieving happiness or eudaemonia or human flourishing. Although Abraham Maslow is considered as a twentieth-century “eudaemonist,” there is no comprehensive examination of the link between cultivating virtuousness and self-actualization in the workplace. Work allows people to become self-actualized (Maslow A. Maslow on management. Wiley, New York, 1998). This chapter considers cultivation of virtuousness and self-actualization through work as a process of development of the self toward higher well-being. After reviewing the relevant literature on Aristotelian ethics and positive psychology, we propose cultivating virtuousness and self-actualization at work as a project of the self, a project of growing, becoming, and evolving toward the ideal self. We highlight views that would support such a thesis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management, Operations and Marketing, University of Wollongong, 2526, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Mario Fernando

  2. Bond Business School, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia

    Rafi M. M. I. Chowdhury

Authors
  1. Mario Fernando
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  2. Rafi M. M. I. Chowdhury
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mario Fernando .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Alejo José G. Sison

  2. Department of Philosophy, Saint Louis University , St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Gregory R. Beabout

  3. School of Economics and Business Administration, Business Department, University of Navarra, Pamploma, Spain

    Ignacio Ferrero

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Fernando, M., Chowdhury, R.M.M.I. (2017). Cultivation of Virtuousness and Self-actualization in the Workplace. In: Sison, A., Beabout, G., Ferrero, I. (eds) Handbook of Virtue Ethics in Business and Management. International Handbooks in Business Ethics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6510-8_117

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