The moral virtues are those qualities that the human being possesses, either by nature or acquired, that lead him to act in accordance with morality. They are what make man behave correctly, leaning towards the good.
Although these moral virtues have already been spoken of since the Greek philosophers, it is in the writings of some Christian thinkers that they are given a more universal nature.
For Christian thinkers there are four moral virtues: justice, fortitude, prudence and temperance. They are also known as cardinal virtues, as they are the main ones to achieve exemplary behavior.
There are different definitions of the moral or cardinal virtues, depending on the time and the school of thought. In general, they are ways of behaving within what is considered moral and in accordance with ethics.
For Aristotle and Plato, moral virtues were due to the habits of people, who had to strive to achieve them. This contrasted with the so-called intellectual virtues, which would be intrinsic to each person.
They were calls earrings (excellence) and they were three different: courage, moderation and justice. Plato adds a fourth and changes some of the others.
For this philosopher they were necessary to be a good citizen. He emphasized justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude. As can be seen, they are the same that Christians would later establish in their doctrine.
It is especially from the Middle Ages that theologians echo these cardinal virtues, especially from Saint Thomas Aquinas. For these authors, it is the behaviors that will make man good, thus bringing him closer to what God wants..
They should not be confused with the so-called theological virtues, which would be those that have God as their ultimate meaning and that make man behave like his son.
The moral virtues vary for each civilization or religion, each granting a meaning or importance according to their lifestyle or philosophical approach..
In any case, most of these groups advocate the importance of moral virtues to act in a straightforward manner. That is, a firm predisposition to act on the basis of good and morals.
At the same time, emphasis is placed on ensuring that the greatest number of individuals act in the same way, since by achieving this homogeneity, discord, selfishness or resentment will be avoided..
In a spiritual way, carrying out and defending the moral virtues will grant the individual eternal life and peace in the afterlife. An award for perseverance and good that, as different religions believe and promote.
For Plato it is the most important of all and is fundamental for the human being. It is not justice from the outside, but from the inside. He sums it up by asking each one to know himself.
For Christians, on the other hand, it is about giving each person what they deserve. You have to treat everyone the same, being honest with them. It is contrasted with selfishness and lust.
It consists, on the one hand, in the ability to overcome difficulties, persevering in the objectives that have been set..
On the other hand, especially among Christians, he also emphasizes resisting temptations, staying on the straight path..
This virtue explains that one must be moderate and fair in all circumstances. It also helps to judge correctly and without prejudice. It is very necessary when making decisions, even in economic matters.
Temperance is responsible for controlling the attraction of the pleasures that are presented to the human being.
In general, it is the one that puts the will above material temptations and helps to preserve the balance between the soul and the body..
Along with faith and hope, charity is one of the theological virtues for Christianity. It is about the virtue of loving your neighbor even more than yourself..
For this reason, their good is selflessly sought, granting them your friendship and with it all that it entails: support, affection, benevolence, etc..
Hope is a moral-theological virtue in which the divine will is trusted for a series of events to occur or so that, on the day of death, eternal life is achieved with God.
Humanity or humanitas it was a moral virtue fostered among the citizens of Ancient Rome. It referred to the need of the individual to be cultured, refined and civilized..
Courage (andreia in Greek) was one of the virtues of antiquity, older even than those proposed by Plato in The Republic. It came to be the 'manliness' that a citizen had to demonstrate before his own and his enemies.
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