Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Cecilia Bembibre, in Jul. 2009
The notion of virtue is abstract and is related to the idea of acting for the common good. Here, it can be understood basically in two ways: at the individual level or at the level of the transcendent condition of the human being. Virtue is generally understood as a phenomenon that is acquired from socialization and of life in community since it is respect for the other that will allow our own survival. The virtue of acting according to the values imposed or developed by a particular society will always be a benefit for all.
In this sense, we can say that virtue as an essential and transcendental condition of the human being is what we leads naturally to seek the common good and to develop ethical and moral values that contribute to life in community. Virtue is then something that is obtained by sharing our existence with others, although it is this very thing that can corrupt it.
Virtue at the individual level is always related to more practical and concrete elements that have to do with the way in which a person develops on a daily basis. Here, virtues such as goodness,
solidarity, ethics, respect for the other, commitment, justice and truth are some of the examples that make an individual can be defined as a subject with great virtues. However, in this regard, the virtues of an individual may not only be social or moral. but perhaps they have to do with their aesthetic, political, ideological, creative, physical virtues, etc.According to the Western tradition, the four most important virtues of the human being are temperance, prudence, justice and strength, all of which are necessary for the development of solid, committed, fair and beneficial social experiences for everyone. Also, it should be noted that the religious doctrines of various religions were included
Temperance
Temperance is that virtue that suggests moderation in terms of the attraction of pleasures and then promotes the Balance in this sense. When someone is the owner of temperance he will dominate his will over the instinct and will always keep desires at bay and consequently with the honesty. For example, temperance is linked to concepts such as moderation and sobriety.
Prudence
Prudence is the virtue par excellence of acting just, correct and cautious and with regard to communication, prudence becomes evident when language is clear, cautious, literal and according to the situation and context. Acting with prudence also means doing it while always respecting freedom and feelings of the others and although they are not in line with our ideas.
Strength
The virtue of strength implies overcoming fear in all its aspects and for this, firmness will prevail in terms of the decisions that are made and also the determination regarding the search for the good to be achieved. Beyond the obstacles and pitfalls that stand in the way and the sacrifices that must be made to achieve the end, the Strength will add value to our soul and will make us move forward, with courage and vigor to overcome them and finally get out victorious.
Justice
The virtue of justice, or rather whoever acts guided by this virtue, will be especially concerned with giving his neighbor what is due and that corresponds to him by right and it will always do so with balance with respect to the rest of the people and the common good.
Now, it is worth saying that the authors ascribed to Christianity based on the aforementioned virtues developed the theological virtues, which are those habits that God himself instills in them so much in the will like in the intelligence to men in order to order their actions. These are: faith, hope and charity and are considered as a complement to the cardinal virtues.
Faith
Faith implies assenting with the will firmly to a truth set forth in divine revelation, that is, the believer of this or that religion adheres to a truth by authority of whom he testifies. Undoubtedly, faith is the base, the pillar on which religions are based. The faithful trust blindly to the norms supplied or set forth by the authorities of the religion they follow.
Hope
Meanwhile, hope is the virtue through which man will manifest confidence and certainty regarding the attainment of eternal life and the disposition of the means that will help to obtain it.
Charity
Charity implies within Christianity the love of God above all else and that love also extends to the neighbor precisely because of that love of God. Therefore, charity will require doing good and acting in conformity and with respect in front of the brothers. In addition, charity will generate reciprocity, that is, it is given and returned in the same way and with the same intensity. And it never goes hand in hand with interest and yes with generosity.
Topics in Virtue