What Are Virtues?
"Virtues are attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop this potential" (Valasquez et al., 1988) In the Virtue Quiz, it showed I should pay particular attention to 'Order - a place for everything and everything in its place', but the funny thing is, I tend to live by that. I suppose the quiz was for general purposes only and not speaking to any specific circumstances taking into account typical behavioral patterns. However, the quiz did make me think about a few of the virtues of Ben Franklin that I consider once in a while I ought to improve on these three virtues are Temperance, Tranquility, and Moderation.
In an effort to improve my life as it relates to the effective use of temperance, where Ben Franklin (n.d.), explained it as 'Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation' is to be more mindful in what I take into my life as well as what I give of myself - not to overindulge. When I eat, I tend to eat all that is on my plate simply because it was given to me; even if I find myself in discomfort afterward, regrettably. My intention is to stop when I am content with my meals.
In another virtue of Ben Franklin's, I plan to incorporate tranquility into my life where I often find myself engaged in principles. This may also fall into the virtue of moderation, however, the resultant is was I am after here. When there are times of trifling errors, I often can foresee the potential consequences based on experience. In an effort to keep from a great expense and loss of time, I tend to trifle over these things. Though I am not exactly sure how I will accomplish this as I have a strong feeling in terms of principles, and my intention to keep things from getting worse, perhaps my reaction would be better if I focused on an acceptance that these things will happen, and I can only offer support in the way of just being aware for my own purpose.
Moderation would be the third virtue I would borrow from Ben Franklin. Moderation in Ben Franklin's terms was, 'Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.' Exercising moderation in every area of one's life is a great virtue to be applied. In America, we tend to want more, bigger and greater value. I see areas in my life that may reflect some account of this and intend to be less extreme in my desires and resentments. While I know better than to beat myself up for such things, there is a difference between knowing and doing. I plan on engaging the 'doing' aspect where it would apply. "It is as individuals...that we encounter the problems inherent in different spheres of our activity in our lives: work, relationships, families, self-development, etc., and it is in our own lives, negotiating these problems, where we rise or fail to rise, to virtue in our excellence in negotiating them" (Brady, 2018).
References:
Brady, C. (2018, September 1.). A problem-based reading of nussbaum's virtue ethics. Retrieved from https://epochemagazine.org/a-problem-based-reading-of-nussbaums-virtue-ethics-4cacfa3e74d6
Pbs.org (n.d.). Ben's 13 virtues. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/pop_virtues_list.html
Valasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., S.J., & Meyer, M. J. (1988, January 1). Ethics and virtue. Retrieved from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/ethics-and-virtue/
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