In this paper I attempt to explore how the writings of Fethullah Gülen relate to virtue ethics. At first sight he seems to have a view of the moral life that is very much founded in virtues. The paper will briefly set out the neo-Aristotelian view of virtue ethics of Alasdair MacIntyre, and the Christian development of virtue ethics in the work of Stanley Hauerwas. It will then compare these approaches to Gülen, noting that whilst he shares some elements of their approaches he is quite distinctive. The paper will argue that Gülen’s view of virtues is focused in religious identity, and in particular the response to God’s creation.  However, because of the context of creation, in all its diversity, and because of a focus on the action of service, this leads also to virtues that are universal. Because of this Gülen is able to focus on dialogue around virtues and practice that goes beyond Islam, engaging constructively with modernism and post-modernism.

Rev. Prof. Simon Robinson, Professor of Applied and Professional Ethics, Leeds Metropolitan University; Director of the Institute for Spirituality, Religion and Public Life. Educated at Oxford and Edinburgh Universities, Simon Robinson was then ordained into the Anglican priesthood. He entered university chaplaincy at Leeds University, developing research and teaching in areas of applied ethics and practical theology. In 2004 he joined Leeds Metropolitan University. Ongoing research interests include: religious ethics and care; ethics in higher education; spirituality and professional practice; corporate social responsibility; and ethics in a global perspective. Books include: The Social Responsibility of Business; Ethics in Engineering; Agape, Moral Meaning and Pastoral Counseling; Case Histories in Business Ethics; Living Wills; Spirituality and the Practice of Healthcare; Values in Higher Education; The Teaching and Practice of Professional Ethics; Ethics and Employability; Engineering, Business and Professional Ethics; Spirituality and Sport; Ethics, Spirituality and Care; Ethics and the Alcohol Industry.