Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing

The Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing (ISHF) is founded on the belief that humans flourish when they develop their fullest potential as rational and moral creatures living in healthy communities. The concept of flourishing is ancient in its origins and contemporary in its relevance. It can be approached through philosophy, which helps us define, understand, and evaluate what it means to

flourish. It can be approached through psychology, which enables us to measure the traits that underlie the ideal of flourishing and to understand the nature of human well-being. It can be approached through education, which teaches us how to cultivate the virtues in our students and in ourselves. Clearly, the greatest opportunity to study flourishing lies at the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and education. Yet despite growing interest in virtue theory, positive psychology, and character education, there has never been a program that integrates the definition, measurement, and cultivation of the virtues. Our overall aim is to become the preeminent global center for the science and practice of virtue and flourishing. The Institute is supported by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation and by the University of Oklahoma.