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Virtue ( Greek αρετη; Latin virtus) is the habitual, well-established, readiness or diposition of man's powers directing them to some goodness of act. (1) Virtue is moral excellence of a man or a woman. The word αρετη is derived from the Greek Arete (paideia) (αρετη). As applied to humans, a virtue is a good character trait. The Latin word virtus literally means "manliness," from vir, "man" in the masculine sense; and referred originally to masculine, warlike virtues such as courage. In one of the many ironies of etymology, in English the word virtue is often used to refer to a women's chastity.In the Greek it is more properly called ηθικη αρετη. It is "habitual excellence". It is something practised at all times. The virtue of perseverance is needed for all and any virtue since it is a habit of character and must be used continuously in order for any person to maintain oneself in virtue.
1 The four virtues
The four classic Western "cardinal" virtues are:
2 Virtue in the Western philosophical tradition
The list of Western virtues goes back at least as far as PlatoFor the computing technology, see PLATO System. Plato ( Greek: Platon (c. 427 BC c. 347 BC) was an immensely influential classical Greek philosopher, student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, writer, and founder of the Academy in Athens. Plato, who is be, in The Republic. A more comprehensive set of virtues is found in AristotleAristotle ( Greek Αριστοτλης Aristotelēs) ( 384 BCE March 7, 322 BCE) was a Greek scientist and philosopher. Along with Plato, he is often considered to be one of the two most influential philo's Nicomachean EthicsNichomachean Ethics is one of Aristotle's great works, in which he talks about several virtues. In Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle focuses on the importance of striving for virtues rather than specific good actions. This can be opposed to Kantian ethics, i. The notion of virtue was a commonplace in ancient philosophy, and because of its adoption by CiceroFor other uses see Cicero (disambiguation Marcus Tullius Cicero ( January 3, 106 BC December 7, 43 BC) was an orator and statesman of Ancient Rome, and is generally considered the greatest Latin prose stylist. Biography Cicero was born in Arpinum and caug, was widely accepted by Christian philosophers and became a staple of CatholicGeneral meaning Catholic means universal or whole''. With respect to the Christian Church, the early Christians used the term to refer to the whole undivided church. It is in that sense that all Christians today claim ownership of the term, including Prot theology.
3 The unity of the virtues
Classically, some philosophers, most notably AristotleAristotle ( Greek Αριστοτλης Aristotelēs) ( 384 BCE March 7, 322 BCE) was a Greek scientist and philosopher. Along with Plato, he is often considered to be one of the two most influential philo, said that in order to pursue any of these virtues perfectly, one would have to master them all. For example, in order to be just, one must be wise. The thesis of the unity of the virtues is controversial. One might argue that humans can be courageous without being wise, or good tempered without being just.
4 Prudence and virtue
SenecaLucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca or Seneca the Younger (c. 3 BC AD 65) was a Roman philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work, humorist, of the " Silver Age" of Latin literature. Seneca the Younger Seneca was born in Cordoba, Sp, the Roman Stoic said that perfect prudence is indistinguishable from perfect virtue. His point was that if you take the longest view, and consider all the consequences, in the end, a perfectly prudent person would act in the same way as a perfectly virtuous person. Many people have found it valuable to determine how each of the virtues is prudent, as well as how they harmonize.
