Character strengths and virtues

• Main Author: Mariana Gancedo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de Palermo 2015-09-01
• Series: Psicodebate
• Subjects: Análisis Epistemológico; Capital Psíquico; Virtudes y Fortalezas del Carácter; Psicología Positiva; Psicología Humanística
• Online Access: https://dspace.palermo.edu/ojs/index.php/psicodebate/article/view/428
• ISSN: 1515-2251; 2451-6600

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>The target of this work is to carry out a critical analysis about some of the underlying epistemological assumptions in Peterson and Seligman’s book </span><span>Character Strengths and Virtues. A handbook and classifications (2004). </span>This is a theoretical investigation that belongs to the epistemology of psychology field. According to the theory proposed by Serroni Copello (2003), a critic progress rational criterion is methodologically applied. The analysis points out some epistemological weakness that leads to incongruences in the statements and conclusions of the investigations, such as: the absence of a unified theory, a candid search of objectivity, and the superposition of implicit paradigms. It also takes notice of a causal and elementary logic -which goes against today’s scientific paradigm-, and the strong American culture zeitgeist present in the principles of Positive Psychology. Finally, some ethic problems are displayed, in particular the step taken from a descriptive attitude –characteristic of science- toward a prescriptive attitude –characteristic of moral codes-. </p></div></div></div>