From Athens to America: Virtues and the Formulation of Public Policy

by Lewis D. Solomon

Overview

From Athens to America calls for the reversal of the withdrawal of the character-forming function from the political domain, arguing for public sector_federal, state, and local_involvement in character formation. Solomon focuses on four specific virtues to serve as a guide to public policy formation: self-esteem, joy and optimism, equanimity, and personal responsibility. He calls for the public sector to move beyond the efforts of families, faith communities, and civic organizations, and take a vital role in fostering character development and promoting these virtues. Combining political science with philosophy, the Judeo-Christian tradition, and medical research, this book illustrates how we formulate public policies that enable people to grow and develop into healthy humans, what each of us is fully capable of becoming.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739115961
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/03/2007
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

Lewis D. Solomon is Theodore Rinehart Professor of Business Law at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Aristotle: Virtues and The Social Order
Chapter 3 Abraham Maslow: Humanistic Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, and Human Nature
Chapter 4 The Judeo-Christian Tradition and Selected Virtues
Chapter 5 Public Policies to Enhance Self-Esteem by Lessening Social Pathologies
Chapter 6 Public Policies to Promote Joy and Optimism by Funding Mental Health Services and Parenting Education
Chapter 7 Public Policies to Encourage Equanimity by Reducing Stress
Chapter 8 Public Policies to Heighten Personal Responsibility by Promoting Marriage and Discouraging Divorce
Chapter 9 Conclusion: Neuropharmacology and Its Impact on Virtues and the Formulation of Public Policy