Virtue
I was thinking about virtue today, thinking about what I would consider real virtues, and those that are pushed upon us by society, and that what is virtuous depends greatly upon your culture.
For example, in many cultures, it is considered virtuous to remain a virgin until you are married. I suspect this goes back to a man needing to know that the child he is rearing is his own, that he is carrying his own genes on into the next generation. This behavior can even be seen among animals. It is common for a male duck to kill all of a female’s ducklings before impregnating her with his own ducklings, thus guaranteeing his own line is the one that survives…at least until another duck comes along and repeats the repellent offense. Like I said, this desire is held by many cultures throughout the world. But if you take a different view, if you look at things with a completely different culture, you get a different view of virtue. When I lived in Fairbanks, a close friend had a step mother who was Eskimo, and in their culture, a man dare not marry a woman who wasn’t already pregnant. With no social security, with a culture devoid of much wealth and monetary success, the children are who cares for the elderly. And in a society exposed to the harsh environments that Eskimos are exposed to, marrying a woman who might not be able to have children is like gambling with death. So of course, sex before marriage is a normal part of life. It is a way to make sure that a couple has a chance to grow into old age with someone to care for them.
Another false virtue, as I would call it, is moderation. Sure, in our land of plenty, it is virtuous to practice moderation in how much we eat, so as to avoid the diseases of obesity. But in a culture where starvation is common, obesity is something to be desired, and a person who has attained the round belly and bulging thighs is known to wealthy enough to afford extra food, to have enough for their family, to be a good provider and a virtuous person. This same step-mother that I knew was horrified when it was suggested to her that a dress with vertical striped might make her look thinner than one with horizontal stripes. Her fat made her respected. Her fat meant she would not starve. Her fat had been earned, and was important to her.
I think of these as false virtues, because, as I said, they depend upon the culture in which you are raised. But I think there are also real virtues, virtues that go beyond culture and religion and philosophy. And those virtues are kindness, charity, and hope. I may be wrong, but I don’t think there are any cultures that don’t respect and admire these virtues.
What about you? What do you consider to me the greatest virtues of mankind? And which are constructions of society, and which might be considered absolute?
9 Comments
Eric Grubbs
How about respect? I think that’s a great, universal virtue.
Py Korry
How ’bout love? 🙂
Beenzzz
kindness and generosity.
Nance
humility.
Nicholas
Honesty, kindness, compassion. Virginity is much overrated.
jkeeten
I hold that kindness, charity, hope, respect, generosity, and humility are wonderful virtues, but aren’t those societal virtues, too? At least ones that we give lip service to, even if we don’t live up to them. Some people think that people who hold to those “virtues” are rubes who deserve to be taken advantage of, by virtue of their naivete. Love is a little more difficult. There is, of course, love for our fellow man, but there is also love of status, money, self that appear to hold higher value to Americans if not universally. Then again I’ve had a bad day and may be a little pessimistic.
Sue-Z-Q
Is virginity actually the virtue or is it chastity? I think chastity (before marriage) is a virtue because it tells your partner that you love them for who they are and will commit to them regardless of how they are in bed. It says that it is not necessary to “try before you buy” because I love you no matter. I feel sorry for the Eskimo women who are barren and later discarded because they can’t conceive. Imagine how it must feel to be discarded like that! It makes my inner feminist cringe. I think there are many other reasons to wait, but this is just a comment, not a post.
Other virtues I esteem are honesty and humility. Both are virtues I hope I can
grow in.
Theresa Bakker
This is a great idea. You should update Bennett’s book. The virtue I try the hardest to maintain is patience. The most overrated construct would be that very human vice, projecting virtue onto others.
PS The alphabet is flying by so fast.
lalunas
Tolerance for each other.
Ducks are very a interesting breed. There sexual behavior is some thing that you would equate to the movie Clock Work Orange. Strange to say the least. But they are beautiful birds.