8-9 September 2026

Applied Virtue Ethics – Aretai Center

10th Annual Conference

Genoa, Sept. 8-9, 2026

On its 10th anniversary, Aretai – Center on Virtues will devote its annual conference to the topic of Applied Virtue Ethics. The conference aims to explore how virtue ethics, traditionally focused on character and moral flourishing, can provide a robust framework for addressing contemporary challenges across diverse domains such as environmental ethics, technology, artificial intelligence, care ethics, and the arts. While much of modern ethical theory has been dominated by deontological and consequentialist paradigms, virtue ethics offers a distinctive perspective that emphasizes practical wisdom (phronēsis), moral motivation, and the cultivation of stable dispositions. This approach is particularly relevant in contexts where rigid principles or utilitarian calculations fail to capture the complexity of human experience and the moral dimensions of emerging practices.
The conference seeks to articulate how virtues such as prudence, justice, temperance, and courage can guide decision-making and institutional design in ways that promote human and ecological flourishing. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, we aim to bridge the gap between normative theory and applied ethics, offering concrete strategies for embedding virtue-oriented principles into technological development, environmental policy, artistic practice, and organizational life. Ultimately, Applied Virtue Ethics aspires to demonstrate that cultivating virtue is not an antiquated ideal but a dynamic and context-sensitive approach capable of addressing the ethical challenges of our complex and challenging times.

Keynote speakers:
Sylvie Delacroix, King’s College London
Marcello Di Paola, Università di Palermo
Julia Driver, University of Texas at Austin
Ian James Kidd, Nottingham University

We are pleased to announce that, during the conference, Professor Julia Driver will be awarded the 3rd Aretai Center Prize for her outstanding contribution to the field.

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Scientific Committee:
Aretai Members: Michel Croce, Mario De Caro, Michele Mangini, Claudia Navarini, Maria Silvia Vaccarezza

SIFA Members: Cristina Amoretti, Sofia Bonicalzi, Laura Caponetto, Ludovica Conti, Massimo Dell’Utri, Filippo Ferrari, Giacomo Floris, Francesco Genco, Elisabetta Lalumera, Emiliano Loria, Giuliano Torrengo, Michele Ubertone, Giorgio Volpe, Alberto Voltolini

Organizing Comittee:
Giovanna Di Cicco, Angelo Gulina, Manuele Marchelli, Manuel Marsico, Elena Ricci

Please note:
Participation in the conference will require registration and payment of the conference fee.
The language of the conference is English.