Alejandro Hortal, visiting assistant professor of Wake Forest University, will speak on "Virtue Nudges: Using Choice Architecture to Form Virtuous Citizens” Thursday, October 6 at 5:00 p.m. in Tribble Hall B316.

Abstract: Nudges are policy interventions intended to change people's behaviors and habits by organizing the choice environment. Nudges are used to boost vaccinations, increase contributions to retirement accounts, or improve healthy habits in citizens without limiting their choices (freedom). Due to their low cost and efficiency, many governments are implementing them. I argue that nudges also have the potential to form virtuous citizens in an Aristotelian sense. They do so by inculcating habits in people, respecting their freedom to choose while guaranteeing deliberation. Considering their affordability, potential effectiveness, and libertarian approach, governmental agencies and institutions should seek ways to use them in conjunction with educational interventions.