as well as ancient philosophers frequently concerned themselves with questions of personal or moral excellence (arete, virtus or “virtue”), and many (although not all) also believed that this quality could be fostered or inculcated in individual human beings. If we assume that virtue can be taught, the example of Socrates encourages the idea that this may be achieved most effectively through student interaction with “virtuous” professors, regardless of the instructors' particular areas of expertise. It follows, therefore, that universities and colleges interested in fostering virtue must strive to train and hire such faculty.
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