THE HEURISTIC POTENTIAL OF THE ARETAIC TURN

Abstract

Purpose of Article. The purposes of the article are to analyse the peculiarities of the aretaic turn, to reveal its heuristic potential in the context of new scientific directions forming.
Research methodology. The principles of analysis, systematisation and generalisation have allowed us to reveal the essence, characteristic features and heuristic potential of the aretaic turn, while the semantic and linguistic analysis has ensured the clarification of the conceptual and categorical apparatus of contemporary virtue ethics. The retrospective and comparative analyses have given an opportunity to clarify the continuity and interrelationships among different types of moral discourses.
Results. The aretaic turn’s peculiarities consist in changing the scientific research perspectives, rejecting methodological approaches and explanatory models of logical positivism, which provided the basis for the emergence of a new visions on traditional issues and the formulation of new problems and methods, as well as principles for their study. An unconventional vision of the new reality has made it possible to create an alternative one to the then-dominant view of man and his place in the world, and necessitated the study of fundamental values that determine human nature, virtues, and motives for behaviour in a new moral discourse, formed within the framework of virtue ethics.
Research Novelty. For the first time in domestic humanities, the phenomenon of the aretaic turn is comprehended, its characteristic features and heuristic potential in terms of the new scientific directions formation are highlighted.
Practical Significance. The founders of the aretaic turn considered Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas as significant representatives of natural law theory in history, which led to the transformation of the philosophy of law and the formation of virtue jurisprudence. Moral exemplarism seems to be a promising and new approach to be used as an example to follow.
Thus it becomes the basis for innovative models of education, upbringing, and cultural practices.