Multiple Cases of Pro-Life Volunteering in a Neo-Aristotelian Ethical Approach

• Published in: Revista de administração contemporânea 2023, Vol.27 (1), p.1-18A
• Main Authors: Ames, Maria Clara F. Dalla Costa, Serafim, Mauricio C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstinence; Bravery; Case studies; Civil society; Ethics; Morality; Pregnancy; Pro life movement; Society; Virtue ethics; Volunteers; Wisdom
• ISSN: 1415-6555; 1982-7849
• DOI: 10.1590/1982-7849rac2022210315.en

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the relationship between moral virtues and phronesis from volunteers of civil society organizations that work for the protection and assistance of pregnant women, known as pro-life. Theoretical framework: the perspective of virtue ethics is presented in the neo-Aristotelian approach as a theoretical framework, according to which human conduct is understood as based on the dispositions of character, the moral virtues, as well as through practical wisdom or phronesis, with the purpose (telos) of human flourishing. Method: the research strategy consists of a qualitative multiple case study approach in Brazilian (n = 2) and Spanish (n = 2) organizations, focusing on their volunteers (n = 17 participants). The field was accessed through participant observation, semi-structured face-to-face interview, and documentary research, thematically analyzing their content with the aid of NVivo software. Results: the results suggest how they act and learn virtues throughout their experience as volunteers - prudence (phronesis), temperance, courage, and hope - to know how to approach, advise, judge, or restrain judgment and help pregnant women establish priorities and perspectives for the future (foresight). Evidence supports the relationship of the phronesis-temperance and phronesis-hope relationship to balance current priorities and future expectations. Conclusion: different contexts may reveal similar virtues in volunteer practices. The results reinforce the assumption of the unity of virtues. Evidence, limitations, and research possibilities are discussed. RESUMO Objetivo: compreender a relação entre virtudes morais e phronesis a partir de voluntários de organizações da sociedade civil que atuam pela proteção e auxílio de gestantes, conhecidas como pró-vida. Marco teórico: apresenta-se a perspectiva da ética das virtudes na abordagem neoaristotélica como arcabouço teórico, segundo a qual a conduta humana é entendida com base nas disposições do caráter, as virtudes morais, bem como por meio da sabedoria prática ou phronesis, tendo por finalidade (telos) o florescimento humano. Método: a estratégia de pesquisa consiste em uma abordagem qualitativa de estudos de casos múltiplos em organizações brasileiras (n = 2) e espanholas (n = 2), focando-se em seus voluntários (n = 17 participantes). O acesso ao campo foi realizado por meio de observação participante, entrevista presencial semiestruturada e pesquisa documental, analisando tematicamen