![]() ![]() Through education, by deliberately choosing to do what is good, and through perseverance, a person acquires and strengthens virtue. On one hand, an individual can acquire human virtues through his own effort under the guidance of reason. The doctrine of virtue is one form of the doctrine of obligation, but one by nature free of regimentation and restriction” ( The Four Cardinal Virtues). Joseph Pieper, one of the great Thomist theologians and an expert on the subject of virtue, provided this explanation: “The doctrine of virtue… has things to say about this person it speaks both of the kind of being which is his when he enters the world, as a consequence of his createdness, and the kind of being he ought to strive toward and attain to– by being prudent, just, temperate, and brave. Aristotle defined virtue as “that which makes both a person and what he does good.”ĭr. Characterized by stability, a virtuous person not only strives to be a good person, but also seeks what is good and chooses to act in a good way. With this in mind, the classic definition of virtue is a habit or firm disposition which inclines a person to do good and avoid evil. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians captured the idea of virtue and the living of a virtuous life: “My brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise” (4:8). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |