Concepts: #2 Virtue

[Ezekiel McLeskey]

Aristotle would define virtue (arete) as excellence in fulfillment of a particular function.

Virtue is something we can achieve, but the people that care nothing for excellence will never find it. If we wish to make change in the world, we must first make changes within ourselves. Virtue brings out the best in others. If you can personify excellence, you can change the world.

We need to rise up and set the example of how a human being ought to behave–make such a bold contrast that it makes others seem crooks and criminals without looking very hard.

I notice that a lot of people in the truth movement sidestep virtue for various reasons. We all know the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right.” If you need to justify your actions by making exceptions for excellence, then you’re not being virtuous. If you intend to fight fire with fire, this attitude will suffice. But if you want to be excellent and bring the others to moral decay by comparison, you must be virtuous.

It’s not as hard as you might think. All you have to do is what you want. Not what’s easy, but deep down what you know is right and what you really want.

Be the truth movement you want to see in everyone else. If you are honest, and keep your integrity, you will move others to do the same thing. Personify the best in all of us so that we may become the same.

http://blog.rationalveracity.com/2009/11/06/concepts-2-virtue/

[Anthony Polenski]

I think alot of what you are saying is true. But I must note that if the reason we are trying to image "virtue" and "goodness" is so we can "exalt ourselves" over those who arent as "virtuous" as we are, we may still be falling short of what it is to seek and eventually find absolute truth. Good writing...

[Starbuck]

The path least taken, but the one most honorable!
Great post!