avatar4321
05-11-2010, 10:50 AM
I've been pondering the issue of virtue lately for a number of reasons. I think it's very important, yet even more so neglected. So I wanted to start some discussion on it flesh out some of my ideas and see if I can get other people to think about it as well.
Look at every issue we have in society. One of the biggest underlying issue is causing our problems is a lack of virtue. In particular:
Honesty/Integrity
Civility
Charity
Patience
Personal Responsibility
Work ethic
Etc
We live in a culture where by default we turn to the government to solve our problems and make new laws or enforce new laws. But we neglect developing virtues in our own life. It's not so much "what we are doing?" as "who are we becoming?"
Ben Franklin had 13 virtues he worked developing in his life. He worked on one each week. And look at what amazing things he did. I believe that virtue gives you power to accomplish amazing things in your life. In fact, I looked up the definition a few days ago and found this (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue):
Main Entry: vir·tue
Pronunciation: \ˈvər-(ˌ)chü\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, from vir man — more at virile
Date: 13th century
1 a : conformity to a standard of right : morality b : a particular moral excellence
2 plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy
3 : a beneficial quality or power of a thing
4 : manly strength or courage : valor
5 : a commendable quality or trait : merit
6 : a capacity to act : potency
7 : chastity especially in a woman
Like I said, my thoughts are still in early stages, but I am feeling this is really important. I want to get as much information and angles to look at this as possible.
I'm going to post Ben Fraklin's virtues shortly. I'd love some discussion on those as well.
Look at every issue we have in society. One of the biggest underlying issue is causing our problems is a lack of virtue. In particular:
Honesty/Integrity
Civility
Charity
Patience
Personal Responsibility
Work ethic
Etc
We live in a culture where by default we turn to the government to solve our problems and make new laws or enforce new laws. But we neglect developing virtues in our own life. It's not so much "what we are doing?" as "who are we becoming?"
Ben Franklin had 13 virtues he worked developing in his life. He worked on one each week. And look at what amazing things he did. I believe that virtue gives you power to accomplish amazing things in your life. In fact, I looked up the definition a few days ago and found this (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue):
Main Entry: vir·tue
Pronunciation: \ˈvər-(ˌ)chü\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, from vir man — more at virile
Date: 13th century
1 a : conformity to a standard of right : morality b : a particular moral excellence
2 plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy
3 : a beneficial quality or power of a thing
4 : manly strength or courage : valor
5 : a commendable quality or trait : merit
6 : a capacity to act : potency
7 : chastity especially in a woman
Like I said, my thoughts are still in early stages, but I am feeling this is really important. I want to get as much information and angles to look at this as possible.
I'm going to post Ben Fraklin's virtues shortly. I'd love some discussion on those as well.