Virtue

Virtue is a moral excellence, a trait or quality deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting collective and individual greatness. The opposite of virtue is vice.

Etymology

The term virtue is derived from the Latin word virtus, which means "manliness" or "excellence". It is associated with the Greek term arete, which signifies excellence of any kind.

Historical Overview

Virtue has been a key concept in ethics and philosophy since ancient times, particularly in the works of Plato, Aristotle, and other classical philosophers. It was also central to the moral philosophy of the Stoics and Epicureans.

Classical Virtues

The classical virtues include prudence, justice, temperance, and courage or fortitude. These are also known as the Cardinal virtues, which were derived from Plato's Republic.

Theological Virtues

In addition to the classical virtues, Christian philosophy added the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. These were adopted by the Church Fathers, especially Augustine of Hippo, and incorporated into Christian theology.

Virtue in Different Cultures

Different cultures have different understandings and lists of virtues. For example, in Buddhism, the Brahmavihara or "four divine states" are considered virtues. In Confucianism, virtues are part of the concept of ren.

Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics is a class of normative ethical theories which treat the concept of moral virtue as central to ethics. Virtue ethics is primarily associated with Aristotle and his Nicomachean Ethics.

See Also

• Seven virtues
• Virtue ethics
• Virtue jurisprudence
• Virtue signalling
• Virtue theory