What makes a good life? This question has been asked throughout history by philosophers, academics, religious leaders and politicians. Although answers differed from each culture, there remained themes that unites them all. Certain values that are central to our common humanity regardless of our country, race, and traditions. In Greek thought, they call these the four cardinal virtues. They are Justice, Fortitude, Temperance and Prudence.
In his book The Republic, Plato referenced these four virtues as necessary traits that people must uphold in order to create a just society. Where each citizen has their distinct role to fill and everyone lives according to the maxims of balance and equanimity. Aristotle expanded on these thoughts on his idea of the golden mean. A moral norm that suggest living in moderation between the excesses and lacks of the human character.
Although Greek in origin, these virtues have also made mark in the tenets of Christianity. They were named as The Holy Virtues, traits that are in opposition with The Deadly sins. Historians suggest that these virtues even predates both Greek and Christian thoughts, serving as evidence that they are imbedded in the human character since time immemorial.
Let's look at what each of them mean.
* * *
1. Justice
Justice is the virtue of being proper to people, things, animals, ideas, and the environment. It is recognizing that everything has their own due, and that in the perspective of total order, everything is equal.
This virtue is best symbolized by a balancing scale (putting things in proper order), a blindfold (allowing for unbiased judgments), and a sword for striking down causes of discord, tipping the scale back into balance.
By putting things in their proper order and giving them their due, we can learn to live in harmony within our society-and within ourselves.
2. Fortitude
Synonymous with courage, fortitude is the virtue of keeping our spirit intact in the face of fear or intimidation. It is withstanding the uncertainties, doubts and challenges we will inevitably face, keeping our ability to act in their midst.
It allows us to be grounded, calm and graceful under stress. It makes us embrace hardships with intent knowing that we have the inner power to overcome them. By putting on the armor of Fortitude, we realize that we can only be defeated from the inside, when we allow ourselves to lose our ground.
3. Temperance
Temperance is moderation. It is the virtue of regulating our passions and not allowing them to taint our sound judgment. In Antiquity, it is symbolized by the careful pouring of water to a cup.
Like Justice, it also requires a sense of balance; this time it is establishing order to our emotions and desires. Temperance is not abstinence but rather a practice of finding the right proportion between indulgence and sobriety.
In the mayhem of our emotions, we will surely fail to make proper decisions. This is why it will be helpful for us to be self-aware and to keep ourselves disciplined. By keeping hold of our tempers, we will lay the foundation to which our wise actions can spring.
4. Prudence
Prudence is our capability to make sound decisions. It is a virtue that allows us to see problems from multiple angles, consider every consequences, and identify the right actions for us to take. It is our ability to discern the proper means to achieve our ends.
The symbol for this virtue is a mirror, reflecting ourselves and reality in an undistorted way. By gazing into this mirror, or in other words, by being prudent, we will make sure that we are making decisions based on how things are rather than our often partial ideas about reality and ourselves.
* * *
These virtues can serve as our guides, leading us to be people of principles grounded in right thinking and right actions. They point to us that deep within, we genuinely yearn to be in agreement with the order that permeates the construct of our psychology and of reality itself. The harmony that the practice of these virtues brings makes living a good life within reach for us all.
References
Photos: Nina Uhlikova, Jimmy Teoh, Julia Volk, Ekaterina Bolovtsova, Sven Huls, Michael Burrows and Nugroho Wayu on Pexels.
Comments
Post a Comment