Study Notes on Virtue, Theological and Cardinal Virtues

Character and Our Path Towards God

What is Virtue?

  • Definition of Virtues:

    • Virtues are defined as habits that enable individuals to lead good moral lives.

    • These habits allow individuals to coexist in harmony with others and please God.

Categories of Virtues

  • Christians traditionally distinguish between two categories of virtues:

    • Theological Virtues

    • Cardinal Virtues

Theological Virtues

  • Theological Virtues include:

    • Faith

    • Hope

    • Love (Charity)

    • Reference:

    • 1 Corinthians 13:13 states, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

    • Characteristics:

    • These virtues come directly from God.

    • They orient our intellects and wills towards God.

Cardinal Virtues

  • Cardinal Virtues include:

    • Prudence

    • Justice

    • Temperance

    • Fortitude

    • Characteristics:

    • These virtues assist individuals in mastering their desires.

    • They facilitate living within a community over time through practice.

    • Cardinal virtues are seen as the controlling influence over all other virtues.

Detailed Explanation of Cardinal Virtues

  • Prudence:

    • Defined as good judgment.

    • Involves thoughtful consideration before acting rather than rushing into decisions.

  • Justice:

    • Defined as giving to God and others what is rightfully theirs.

  • Temperance:

    • Defined as balance and self-control in one’s actions and desires.

  • Fortitude:

    • Defined as the strength to overcome fears and temptations to do wrong.

The Character Cycle

  • Sequence of the Character Cycle:

    • Actions:

    • Lead to the development of Virtues or Vices.

    • Virtues:

    • Create positive Habits, shaping Character.

    • Habits:

    • Influence Character.

    • Character:

    • Ultimately leads to Destiny.

Aquinas and the Fonts of Morality

  • The Moral Act:

    • Composed of three essential components:

    • Moral Object:

      • What is the specific action chosen?

    • Intention:

      • What does the person aim to achieve through the action?

      • Is the intention good or bad?

    • Circumstances:

      • What other factors may influence the decision made by the individual?

      • Factors can include: who, when, where, and how the action takes place.

    • For an action to be deemed morally good, all three components (moral object, intention, and circumstances) must be deemed good.

    • If any of these components is bad, the action is rendered evil.

The Golden Rule

  • Reference:

    • Matthew 7:12 states, "In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."