Virtue: Difference between revisions
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"But not every action...admits of a mean; for some have names that already imply badness...adultery, theft, murder; for all of these are themselves bad, and not the excess or deficiencies of them. It is not possible then ever to be right with regard to them; one must always be wrong. ... However they are done they are wrong" (Aristotle, ''Nicomachean Ethics''). Catholic philosophy calls such actions "intrinsically evil." The evil of the action cannot be remedied by good intentions nor justified by circumstances. The prohibition of such evildoing is absolute: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal. | "But not every action...admits of a mean; for some have names that already imply badness...adultery, theft, murder; for all of these are themselves bad, and not the excess or deficiencies of them. It is not possible then ever to be right with regard to them; one must always be wrong. ... However they are done they are wrong" (Aristotle, ''Nicomachean Ethics''). Catholic philosophy calls such actions "intrinsically evil." The evil of the action cannot be remedied by good intentions nor justified by circumstances. The prohibition of such evildoing is absolute: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal. | ||
== Cardinal Virtues == | == Cardinal Virtues == | ||
Revision as of 14:40, 27 May 2011
Virtue is "a habitual and firm disposition to do good" (CCC #1833).
Buddha (~500 BC in India), Confucius (~500 BC in China), Aristotle (~350 BC in Greece), and the classic Christian tradition all hold that "Virtue is the mean between extremes."
"But not every action...admits of a mean; for some have names that already imply badness...adultery, theft, murder; for all of these are themselves bad, and not the excess or deficiencies of them. It is not possible then ever to be right with regard to them; one must always be wrong. ... However they are done they are wrong" (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics). Catholic philosophy calls such actions "intrinsically evil." The evil of the action cannot be remedied by good intentions nor justified by circumstances. The prohibition of such evildoing is absolute: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not steal.
Cardinal Virtues
Aristotle developed the theory that there are four cardinal ("hinge") virtues (powers developed by habitual practice) necessary for the good life. The four cardinal virtues interact with each other and support each other.
Prudence
Wisdom about practical matters. The virtue of prudence enables us to apply general rules to particular situations where there is no universal negative prohibition to guide us. In such cases, "let your conscience be your guide." Do what you think is best in the circumstances, trusting in God's compassion, mercy, and providence.
Justice
Give to each what each deserves. Treat equals equally; treat unequals unequally.
Fortitude (patience, endurance)
"A few moments of patience now will spare me a hundred days of regret."
Patience is essential for all other virtues, both natural and supernatural. If we are not patient, we will not be prudent, just, temperate, faithful, hopeful, or loving for very long.
"Beware the persistent man." Without wisdom and justice, fortitude is bull-headed, bigoted, arrogant, and rude.
Moderation (temperance)
"Moderation in all things (except sin!)." "Virtue is the mean between extremes."
| Too Little | Four Cardinal Virtues | Too Much |
|---|---|---|
| Imprudence | Prudence
|
Over-caution |
| Immorality | Justice
|
Scrupulosity |
| Self-indulgence | Temperance
|
Puritanism/Jansenism |
| Cowardice | Fortitude
|
Presumption, arrogance, rage |