The American philosopher Linda Zagzebski argues that exemplars are distinguished through the emotion of admiration, and this motivating emotion allows the mapping of the moral domain related to the exemplars attributes.
Her "Exemplarist Moral Theory" is rooted on direct connection to exemplars of goodness which individuals identify through the emotion of admiration; like when assimilating the idea of heroes, saints, celebrities, or authority figures behaviors, incorporating them into their own behaviors; noticeable when people starts mirroring such personages.
