Virtues and Vices

Textbook Page 9 Read “Learning To Be”

What is a Virtue? A virtue is a good habit that leads a person to do good rather than evil. A society is only as productive as the personal virtue of its people. No system or set of laws, however perfect, can work for good without virtuous people. Virtues improve not just what you do, but what you are. Personal virtue is the key to improving the world, finding happiness, and helping other people to be good and happy too.

The Three Theological Virtues These are faith, hope and love (charity is often used instead of love).

The Four Cardinal Virtues 1. Prudence (Wisdom) The mind thinking about what should be done. With the help of this virtue we apply moral ideas to situations.

The Four Cardinal Virtues 2. Justice (Fairness) This gives to each “what is due”, or “what is right” in a situation. Complete justice requires that both ideas are resolved.

The Four Cardinal Virtues 3. Fortitude (Courage) This gives each of us the strength to “do”. It strengthens us enough to conquer fear, even fear of death. It gives us the power to sacrifice our life in defense of a just-cause.

The Four Cardinal Virtues 4. Temperance (Self-Control) This controls our attraction to pleasures of the world. Without self-control, we lower ourselves to animals, which live by instinct. This provides “balance” and keeps desires within the limits of what is appropriate.

Vices These are a bad-habits that lead someone to do bad-things. The four vices are the opposite of the virtues: Folly Injustice Cowardice Intemperance

The Scorpion and the Frog A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too." The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?" Replies the scorpion: "It’s my nature..."

Application Read the fable given to you. Which virtue or vice is being followed or broken? In paragraph form, explain why things happened the way they did. Name and explain a modern example of this in society.