A634.6.3.RB - What are Virtues?


Ben Franklin’s idea of maintaining a scorecard to help keep him “on track,” when it comes to living a virtuous life, is something I can relate to. Although I’ve never formally written down any standards to live by, I keep a sort of informal doctrine in my head to remind me of my priorities. Over time, I’ve realized that this set of rules not only exemplifies what’s important to me but also reinforces a set of habits that, I’ve learned over time, make me feel the most useful and engaged. In that way, the standards serve as a reminder to live well and do well, as Aristotle (LaFollette, p. 213) would promote.

A few of the virtues on Franklin’s list that I relate to most are those of Industry, Order and Resolution. These three tenants are all inter-related, but they can be applied to several facets on life. That’s why I like them — because “theorizing divorced from practice is useless” (LaFollette, p. 216). At first glance, this trio might seem to only deal with discipline, and that’s partly true, but their definitions can also extend to one’s social life, their mental health, and relationships to their hobbies/interests.

Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

Industry, for example, stresses “cutting off all unnecessary actions,” which promotes efficiency — but it’s also a reminder not to get caught up in petty dramas or gossip; not to dwell on negativity; and that the best way to maintain a healthy mindset is to put yourself to work on something productive (and that doesn’t just mean on work; time with friends, appreciation of hobbies, and personal goal-setting are all productive, as well.).

Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

The concept of Order might appear to do only with organization, but I see more in its subtext. Order reminds us to be present. To let your time at work be spent on work. Let you time with family be spent on family. When it’s time to relax — unplug and really relax. Today, when we’re always in arm’s reach of our phones (and by proxy, arm’s reach of the world and all of its information), it’s more important than ever to compartmentalize and learn to focus on, and appreciate, what’s in front of us. Without that skill, distraction rules and, for me, stress/discontent always seem to follow.

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

Resolution is another virtue that I see as a sort of backbone to my worldview. Do what you say you’re going to do. Follow through. I try to follow this mantra at work, but it’s even more important in my personal life. I want my wife and step-daughter to rely on me, and to know that I’m reliable. I want them to feel that security — and I want that sense of stability to extend to friends, as well. Committing to Resolution can even dictate how I approach projects and goals, as well. It keeps me on track, not scatterbrained. It forces me to focus on just a few things at once and make sure I see them through.

Virtue Quiz

Results to my Virtue Quiz stated that I was on the right path, but that I should focus on improving my Temperance and Tranquility. And, ok sure, that’s probably true. The problem with stressing discipline, routine, and focus in your life is that it sometimes makes you place too much meaning in every little thing. It makes it harder to “let it go.”

Assessing what’s important in this way can help improve those shortcomings, though. Although I don’t think it’s possible to ever perfect the act of living virtuously, to me that feels like the point. It’s a focus, a journey. It’s about striving for something better. And even though you might fail (sometimes, fail a lot), keeping a list of goals or standards in mind serve as a set of signposts leading toward personal growth and progress — and that’s maybe as good as any of us can reasonably hope for.

Here are some areas you might want to think about approaching differently:

Temperance: 
As a young man, Ben tried not to drink too much. Maybe you should consider being the designated driver next time you go out partying.

Tranquility: 
Ben didn't sweat the small stuff. Think about what's REALLY important to you in life, and worry less about the smaller annoyances.

References
LaFollette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

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