ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book argues that there is a form of self-transcendent hope, called fundamental or existential, which is necessary for us to find meaning in a life that is vulnerable to absurd and terrifying circumstances, such as those that arose in Europe during World War II. It addresses the longstanding complaint against neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics—viz., that it is fundamentally egoist. The book weaves together thought about virtue as enabling participation in common goods with thought about the place of virtue in a meaningful life. It discusses the role of self-transcendence in theorizing about virtue within different religious traditions. The book discusses the connections between virtue, self-transcendence, and spiritual liberation in the traditions of Patanjali Yoga and Abhidharma Buddhism. It discusses the psychology of generativity, which Dan P. McAdams defines as an adult’s concern for and commitment to promoting the goods of future generations.
