Great Books: Building Virtue
This is the first of a series of articles addressing virtue from the standpoint of the Great Books. This will lay the foundation for future conversations:
What is Virtue?
20th Century Philosopher Mortimer Adler described virtue as a habitual and firm disposition to do the good (CCC 1803). In this, virtue is not just a single act, but a way of life for a person. Virtue is both the act, but also the revelation of someone’s deeper character.
The first part of that definition is habitual. Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy begins with character, formed by repetitive actions. Repetitive actions, such as making your bed in the morning, make habits. Habits, such as keeping a clean room (after making your bed) form disciplines. Disciplines, such as tidiness and respect for others, form the cardinal virtues.
A young child cannot be expected to understand Temperance at an early age, but they can make their bed.
**Disclaimer** I was not a tidy child, or adult. These are lessons I am still learning to this day.
For the second part of that definition, disposition to the good, we can see how the habits that a child develops point to something far deeper than just virtue. As an example, teaching young boys to open doors for girls.
Yesterday was a washout, a day of rain, which unfortunately coincided with our kids’ end of year school program. As a husband and father, I want my wife and kids to be protected and provided for (there is much more to unpack here). To be clear, I am not an egalitarian; I wholesale reject that everyone is the same. God made us each unique and different, male and female. (Yes, there are some men who are on more on the female personality spectrum and vice versa, but the point remains). I have a desire to want to protect and provide for my wife, monetarily & physically. I also want to make her life more comfortable. Not everyone can run under the umbrella out to the car. Someone has to open the door.
By teaching my boys to open doors for their mom and sisters (even if the sisters don’t like it), we are teaching a much deeper lesson. As men, we are stronger and faster than the girls. I could race out to the truck and get there (less wet) before everyone else, but that’s not how it is supposed to work. The willful sacrifice of getting wet is both teaching physical restraint (meekness) and the moral virtue of kindness (justice). If that becomes their default, through habitual patterns, the boys will that much closer to developing a strong character.
Are Virtues God-given, or Developed?
Over the years, various philosophers have wrestled with the idea of virtues, each adding their contribution to the idea. Our western idea of virtues came largely from the early Greek sources: Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle.
Plato (quoting Socrates) often left the question unanswered as he did not take a strong stance on the source of virtue. Plato felt that there was a perfect form (expressed through virtue) but that man could not fully grasp what that form was.
Aristotle answered the question affirmatively, that some people may have a natural disposition to being virtuous (and others clearly don’t), but true virtue was the result of our habits and reshaping our mind. In this sense, there are some natural virtues, but also learned virtues. Aristotle also thought that virtue pointed towards the good, the ultimate good.
Marcus Aurelius proposed that all virtue began with Justice, but that virtue was its own reward. He believed virtue had no external value, no higher purpose or higher calling (very stoic).
Augustine of Hippo added the Christian element that right action was not right in itself, but only if it resulted from a reference to God. If our actions were the outflow of our love of God, then they were good. Augustine supported a natural law argument, but God as the ultimate author.
Thomas Aquinas added that virtues were all complimentary (originally proposed by Aristotle), in that they are not necessarily distinct, but they all flow from the soul and all interact with one another through our actions. In this sense, one cannot be strong in one virtue and weak in another. They are each necessary and causal.
Later Atheistic philosophers like Thomas Hobbes wanted to preserve the idea of virtue, but without a religious reference. Hobbes proposed that virtue was a mechanism of self-preservation, self-centered altruism, where we are virtuous towards another in order to gain their favor. Hobbes was a fan of natural law morality, but he replaced Augustine’s God with man’s survival.
Finally, modern scholar Sam Harris argues that virtue is the reduction of suffering. If we reduce humanity’s overall suffering, we have achieved a moral action. To be clear though, Harris thoroughly rejects natural law, as it points towards a truth outside of man’s experience.
The Virtues & Vices
Over the next few weeks (months? longer?), we will discuss the core virtues and vices of our lives. The fascinating theme is that each virtue is associated with a vice. Weak Prudence results in Impulsivity & Lust. Someone who has no Charity likely suffers from Pride & Greed.
To be clear, there are many complimentary lists of the virtues. I have done my best to combine those that are the most cited, as recognized by the scholastics:
1. Prudence (Chastity, Practical Wisdom)
2. Justice (Kindness)
3. Temperance (Moderation)
4. Fortitude (Courage)
5. Faith (Humility)
6. Hope
7. Charity (Love, Generosity)
Over the next few weeks we will define these deeper and explore their place in the Great Books conversation.