Virtue in Today’s World (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
Virtue in Today's World
Understanding virtue
Virtue involves more than simply knowing right from wrong. It requires both understanding the moral and ethical significance of a situation and then acting upon that understanding. As philosopher David Starr Jordon explained: "wisdom is knowing what to do next, virtue is doing it."
This distinction is crucial in today's world where moral dilemmas often require not just knowledge but courage to act on our convictions.
Key virtues in contemporary life
Temperance (balance)
Temperance represents the ability to maintain balance across different aspects of life. This virtue is particularly relevant for modern living where multiple demands compete for our attention.
Contemporary application:
- A Leaving Certificate student demonstrates temperance by balancing study, adequate sleep, proper nutrition, exercise, socialisation and relaxation
- This balanced approach leads to better physical, mental, educational and psychological wellbeing
- People who exhibit temperance generally achieve greater success in their endeavours
Patience
Patience can be understood as the ability to wait for something without experiencing anxiety. In our fast-paced world, this virtue has become increasingly important.
Contemporary application:
- Traffic congestion affects a large percentage of the world's population daily
- During peak times, delays are inevitable regardless of destination
- Those who demonstrate patience understand that losing their temper will not speed up their journey
- Patient individuals remain kind to fellow travellers and arrive at their destination without needing stress relief
Virtue in moral decision-making
Understanding virtue is one thing, but applying it in real-world situations often presents complex challenges that test our moral courage and commitment to doing what is right.
Worked Example: The workplace dilemma
Consider this contemporary scenario: An office worker discovers their manager is using company funds for personal expenses. The worker faces several challenges:
- The manager has a good relationship with the business owner
- Reporting the fraud might not be believed
- The whistleblower risks job loss or workplace harassment
- Many people in this situation choose to remain silent
The virtuous response: A person of virtue will report the misconduct regardless of personal consequences. Virtue requires acting on what we believe to be right, not just recognising that something is morally wrong.
Virtue and moral development
Exhibiting virtues represents characteristics of a morally mature person. The development of virtue plays a significant role in an individual's growth towards moral maturity. This connection demonstrates why virtue remains essential in contemporary society - it bridges the gap between moral knowledge and moral action.
Key Points to Remember:
- Virtue = Understanding + Action: It's not enough to know what's right; virtue requires acting on that knowledge
- Balance is key: Temperance helps us manage the competing demands of modern life successfully
- Patience reduces stress: This virtue helps us cope with the inevitable delays and frustrations of contemporary living
- Courage is required: Acting virtuously often means accepting personal consequences for doing the right thing
- Virtue builds character: Developing virtues contributes to our overall moral maturity and personal growth