Attachment and Character: Attachment Theory, Ethics, and the Developmental Psychology of Vice and Virtue

The book Attachment and Character explores the relationship between attachment and prosocial behavior, the concept of the prosocial, the relationship between prosocial behavior, virtue, and the quality of the social environment, the question of whether there are stable character traits, and whether attachment theory supports ethical naturalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Developmental psychology and the attachment paradigm share intriguing connections with the ethical inquiries first raised by Aristotle. These connections continue to captivate moral philosophers today. In this groundbreaking book, experts from both fields come together to explore these intersections for the first time, shedding light on why philosophers working in moral psychology and virtue ethics should take attachment theory more seriously than they have in the past.

Attachment theory, as a psychological development framework, offers valuable insights into the various forms of attachment and their impact on interpersonal relationships. It suggests that securely attaching to a parent fosters a type of attachment that contributes to a healthy and fulfilling intimate connection. However, the classification of human character in terms of virtues also carries evaluative implications. It would be unusual if there were no narrative to unfold regarding the relationship between these two sets of evaluatively inflected descriptions.

Attachment and Character delves into the intricate relationship between attachment and prosocial behavior. It examines the concept of prosociality itself, exploring the interplay between prosocial behavior, virtue, and the quality of the social environment. The book also raises important questions such as whether stable character traits exist, and if attachment theory, by locating the origins of virtue in secure attachment and attachment dispositions in human evolutionary history, provides support to ethical naturalism in various interpretations of this concept.

Through comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis, Attachment and Character offers a rich tapestry of insights that will captivate scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of psychology, ethics, and human flourishing. It demonstrates the potential for integrating attachment theory into moral psychology and virtue ethics, fostering a deeper understanding of human nature, human excellence, and the pursuit of the best life for individuals.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192898128