Virtue:behavior showing high moral standards.


Are virtues defined by culture alone or are there common virtues we share around the globe, or both?

Are virtues mainly a function of what is deemed the most useful to society overall?

For instance, I grew up hearing 'patience is a virtue', which I always believed and still do. But as technology and media push the idea of easier and faster being better, and to some extent quickness being an EXPECTATION, is there less use for 'patience'?

And what about being able to use logic, if there are computers and technology performing the logic for us?


Or what about faith, or hope, if science and tech become more of the expectation, will they still be 'virtues'?

What virtues will be left, or will the idea of virtue be dismissed and discouraged like the idea of the nuclear family or gender roles or differences have come to be dismissed and discouraged?

I wonder if virtue will someday seem like an archaic context.

What do you consider important virtues?

What would be considered a virtue and how important that is varies around the world with different cultures. That same thing applies within the US in different geographical and cultural areas. They are also changing as society changes. For example, at one time in history a woman's virginity going into marriage was an important virtue. Today it may still be in some cultural areas but is of much less importance now. There are some virtues such as a strong work ethic that is still considered a virtue in most parts of the world. There are others that still withstand the march of time and probably will for many generations. Others will slowly disappear with changing expectations and technical changes in the world. As a society, it is important to identify and support those that will withstand time and yield benefits for all of us.

Some of those I consider important are a good work ethic, honesty, and personal responsibility.

Ah yes, virtue.

Another of the commonly misunderstood or confused but very important concepts in the world.

I have found that a lot of people confuse "being virtuous," with "making a show of having morals." I also happened to come of age in a time when some of the more powerful people in the world, have made being sort of ANTI-virtuous into a "clever" faddish rebellion.

I'm thinking there, of how plenty of people I've had to deal with, have grinned and laughed at others who behaved politely and thoughtfully, and seen them as "suckers," not as someone to admire.

Virtue does seem to play a rather odd part in our American world. Lots of people simultaneously decrying the lack of it, while sniggering or even verbally attacking those who urge them to show some.

Honesty and trust.
While some virtues maybe superseded, or seen as old hat. I can't see how these will ever change, regardless of computers and such.

High moral standards according to whom?
Are high moral standards only benevolent?
Could they be high standards that are malevolent?

For some, respecting women as a person with rights might seem to be a high moral standard but there are entire countries who's moral standards think of women as property.
Are their moral standards defective?
Are ours?

High moral standards are relevant to the considering group.
To assume that any moral standard is valued virtue to all requires all to be of one mindset.

Ever heard of the thieves code?
Among thieves there is a code of conduct that dictates their morality.
To others, that moral code may not be a virtue.
Ramp that idea up to a global view and High moral standards is irrelevant.
Virtue in prison isn't the same virtue in a religious community.

Is it virtuous to commit suicide?
In the USA, no.
In wartime Japan, yes.

Well, that's my two cents...

Some are common sense. Like empathy or respect. Sounds very simple, but some people lack these qualities.

I think there is a distinction that exists between innate virtue that stems from the ethical,and is part of the survival imperative, for example sharing, helping the weak etc and virtue according to moral religious or cultural values or even capitalist values. for example, in 1990 a group of nuns were discovered that were denied any outside contact with the world. they were taught that the supreme virtue was to serve. they had been doing nothing but laundry for no pay since they were little girls. the concept of virtue maybe has much to do with social engineering. what is regarded as virtue among the rich/ powerful and what is regarded among the poor/week are two completely different things.

When I contemplate morals and virues I consider SHTF scenarios.
The SHTF (Shiat Hits The Fan) drives home the survival imperative.
I frequent a few SHTF communities and one of the most frequently debated aspects is always "what would you do if...".

To find out if your virtues are solidly within you or a cultural adaptation, remove the safeties of society.

Consider what woud actually happen if the electrical grid was removed...forever.
What would happen if grocery stores were looted empty and it is late fall.
What would happen if there were only so much clean water available with no promise of more?
What if police no longer exist, people that are stronger will take your food, rape your children or take your belongings leaving you naked in the street or worse?

Your sense of morals and virtues would certainly change, right?
Now, consider all your morals and virtues and how they stack up to survival.
Do you say okay, lets split the food up between us or do you hoard your food for you and your loved ones.
Would you defend your food with lethal force?
Its that capacity that defines your virtues and sets your morals.

Natural disasters don't really test your morals or virtues because they are local and temporary and people realize this.
While the immediate conditions might test them, in the back of the mind relief is coming.
What if the condition were global and forever?

I have morals and virtues that align with the society in which I live and my own intuitive assessment.
I'm not locked to them.
They can change according to the conditions I am trying to survive.
I am entirely capeable of killing to protect a sack of potatoes. If the need warrants. Just because I have that capacity, doesn't mean I can't adapt.
So, my morals and virtues are mutable according to the conditions in which I exist.

women are welcome to help me get really really Good at full body massage and write reviews on here.

any women into role playing being a reference librarian and "referencing the new guy" for the rest of the women. no surprises here.

I think, when looking forward to the future it is good to search for the positive because that helps one to make positive things work out in their life. But when looking back on the past, I think it is good to talk openly about negative experiences because that helps one to understand them better and not let it cause anxiety in the future.

I would guess if a virtue is classified as a moral then yes ... what you say is Virtue:behavior showing high moral standards. there connected ... that's how I understand it ...

I must admit, I see less and less people using common sense and having morals or virtues.

I believe some of it is genetic as well. It gets passed on through our children but we also must teach them core values such as honesty and respect.

Some of it is definitely cultural and geographical.

Nuclear family and gender roles are long gone. I never liked gender roles, it’s archaic and kept women down.

its the definition from google dictionary. The one from webster involves societal expectations.

Remember the old one hit wonder song 2525 by Zager & Evans? I'm afraid it's not going to take that long.....

KARMA covers all the rest.