Virtue, Eudaimonia, and Warlords

• In Event: The Pursuit of Happiness

Abstract

“The Aristotelian virtue ethics tradition is often characterized as eudaimonist, with eudaimonia understood as happiness or flourishing. Virtue is what ultimately leads a person to true happiness and flourishing. But, what good does possessing a notion of eudaimonia do for those actively trying to acquire virtue? This paper addresses the question from the vantage point of a perhaps least-likely case—the experiences of Chinese warlords and revolutionaries during the early 20th century, some of whom espoused a concern for moral philosophy and the good of their country. In particular, I will examine the life of warlord Feng Yuxiang, the so-called “Christian General.” Though he was far from perfect, Feng’s pursuit of virtue did help him to lead his army in ways starkly different from most of his contemporaries. But, what was his understanding of virtue? A dive into his diary and other writings reveals a man who sought to combine his Protestant Christian faith with his Confucian upbringing and formation. This paper will highlight some of the ways in which Feng’s understanding of virtue helped him in his pursuit of good moral character, but also the ways in which a more eudaimonist framework could have further assisted his pursuit, had such a framework been available to him.”

Author

• Tiffany Barron, University of Tennessee