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Name Xinyu Zhou
Professor Bertaina
Course College Writing 100
Date 04/08/2017
Virtue
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word ‘virtue’ as a behavior showing high
standard morals (Oxford English Dictionary, 2017). The use of the word has been different in
different contexts. In history, different institutions and philosophers have provided diverse
definitions and use of the word in an attempt to define and guide ethics in the society. The uses
of ‘virtue’ in different societies have presented differing opinions and views. The diverse uses,
however, point towards a common understanding of the word. The word ‘virtue’ has been used
by different people about a prescribed moral code in each community and the qualities guiding to
adherence to the particular morals.
The Oxford English Dictionary assumes a modern view of the society and the fit of the
word in its context. The general definition identifying virtue as a behavior showing high moral
standards does not subscribe to any particular culture or definition of moral standards. As such,
the dictionary provides a simple understanding of how the word can be used in general in the
society today. It is, however, important to note that the use of the word and its meaning have
changed over time in different institutions and societies. For instance, the explanation of virtues
regarding ethics provided by Aristotle is applicable in the modern society but not in its original
form.
Aristotle is a Greek philosopher who was born in Stagira, Chalcidice, in Northern Greece
and lived between 384 BC and 322 BC. The philosopher delved in the definition of ethics and
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aspects governing ethics in the society. As such, he defined virtues using several assumptions
and directives. He used the word ‘hexis’ to define a moral virtue. The use of the word virtue in
the ancient setting translated to moral uprightness and nobility. The translators of Aristotle
readings claim that moral virtues translated to being noble in that era. An article by Joe Sachs
states that the use of the word noble evolved over time to mean someone belonging to some
hereditary class hence parting ways with moral virtue (Sachs, 2017). The initial synonymous use
of nobility and virtues was eroded, and in the recent past, virtues have been described in the
context of different institutions and communities.
The Roman Catholic Church has continually used the word ‘virtue’ to define the holy
characteristics of a person who follows the doctrines of the church. The translation from the
Latin word ‘virtus’ signifies manliness. The direct translation from Latin does not project its
meaning in the Catholic context. The Catholic Encyclopedia then describes the meaning in the
Christian context. Virtue is defined as a value superadded to the faculty of the soul (Waldron,
2017). The definition points out that the holiness of the soul includes virtues as an intrinsic
quality. The word is, therefore, used in the Church institution to signify the practice of the law of
God from the heart (Sachs, 2017).
The restriction of the word virtue for the church purpose has, however, been demystified
by the breakdown of the divisions of virtues. The intellectual virtues have been seen at different
times in history as art and prudence in ‘men of God.’ The moral virtues include fortitude,
temperance, and justice. According to Wells, the summary of virtues in the evolution of
Christianity has landed the church to a definition which overly identifies it as doing good to
people as Christ taught in the Bible. In the Christian context, the meaning has evolved from
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spiritual holiness to social well-being and charity towards people, simply described as the
ultimate ‘love for your neighbor.’ (Wells, 1998).
An interesting set of virtues is the Prussian virtues defined in the 20th century in Prussia,
an area in the present day Germany. The Prussian Virtues is a set of high standard morals said to
have been the hallmark of the inhabitants of Prussia. The classical example shows how the view
of virtues can be defined in a specific society and be upheld according to the community beliefs.
The values existed in the 18th century and governed discipline in the empire. The list of the
virtues differs from author to author but could be classically condensed into self-control,
punctuality, discipline, thriftiness, hard work, and service. The Prussian virtues were held up to
around the first half of the 20th century but were eroded due to the Second World War (Ertle,
615).
The different examples show the different societies and their views of virtues. Looking at
the different definitions of virtue by diverse sources, it is safe to conclude that they all point
towards a common direction: morals. My understanding of virtue from the reading brings to
attention the need for linking virtues with the morals defined in society. Virtue cannot be defined
across all nations and communities. Sarah Emsley states that different communities hold
different opinions on what counts as ‘standard morals.’ (Emsley, 2005). Virtue, therefore, is the
adherence of a person’s behavior to a moral code that is set by the environment in which he or
she lives. Virtue is defined by each localized society by its view of morality. Although used to
describe different codes of conduct, ‘virtue’ has been used across the board to social, moral
behavior.
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Works Cited
Emsley, Sarah. Jane Austen’s Philosophy of the Virtues. New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
Print.
Ertle, Elke. Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom. Mentobe Press, 2013. Print.
Oxford English Dictionary. 2017. Web. 6 April 2017.
Sachs, Joe. Aristotle: Ethics. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 6 April 2017.
Waldron, Martin Augustine. “Virtue.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert
Appleton Company, 1912. 6 Apr. 2017
. Web. 6 April 2017.
Wells, David. Losing Our Virtue: Why the Church Must Recover Its Moral Vision. Grand
Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub, 1998. Print.
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