Virtue

The German word virtue (Latin virtus, ancient Greek ἀρετή arete ) is derived from are good; the original basic meaning is the usability ( efficiency, excellence ) of a person. Generally understood as an outstanding feature virtue or ethical standards. In the broadest sense, any ability to perform valuable services considered are referred to as virtue. In ethics, the term is regarded as the important and desirable character trait that enables a person to realize the moral good. This usually combines the view that this property and the person who has it, deserves praise and admiration.

• 5.1 General
• 5.2 History of Philosophy
• 5.3 gallant or courtly virtues
• 5.4 Civic Virtues
• 5.5 Social Virtues ( Psychology )
• 5.6 Ms. Virtue

Etymology and history of the concept

Virtue is derived as Verbalabstraktum of use at all, a verb whose basic meaning, suitable, be useful benefit ' is. In Old High German, attested by 1000 tugund (, ability, power, usability '). In Middle High German has tugent, tugende the additional meanings, male prowess, heroism '. Under the influence of theological and philosophical literature that has been translated from Latin into German, entered the Middle Ages, a change of meaning a: The term was given a specifically moral meaning, describing a moral perfection in the Christian sense as opposed to vice and sin. This use of the term came into use since the translation work of Notker the German ( 10-11. Century).

In church-related groups was meant by virtue in the early modern period and up to the modern primarily chastity. Especially with regard to women of virtue was also used as a synonym of chastity, as in phrases such as, " She kept her virtue ." The coherent with the moral theological embossed parlance meaning narrowing and thus often associated impression of hypocrisy and Pharisaism has led in modern times to a devaluation of the concept of virtue. Today's use of the term is often distant, even mocking and ironic (' paragon of virtue, virtue Bold ').

Ancient terms

The ancient Greek term arete is often - even in scientific literature - translated as "virtue". At the same time, however, pointed out in the literature on the problem of translation. Generally designated ( non-philosophical ) usage of antiquity arete the " goodness ", ie the ability of a person in the performance of their particular tasks or the suitability of a thing (even an animal or a body part ) for the purpose it is intended. In German, can thus arete, when it comes to the non- philosophical meaning, with "fitness ", " excellence " or " excellence " are played. The translation of "virtue" is misleading in many cases because often is not a virtue meant in a moral sense.

In philosophical texts has arete usually a moral sense. Therefore, it is not objectionable with "virtue" as a rule in such a context the translation. However, mixing must be avoided with modern, mainly Christian virtue ideas.

The Latin word virtus derives from vir ( " man " ) and originally referred to manliness, which manifests itself primarily as a ( military) bravery. However, the term was also used as a translation of the Greek arete and received thereby in particular in philosophical texts and later in the Christian parlance the meaning that arete in Greek philosophy had (virtue ). In this meaning, virtus ( virtutes in the plural) was an indicator of the properties that were within the scope of social and ethical values ​​as desirable.

Virtue catalogs

Cardinal virtues

When the four classical cardinal virtues ( since the Middle Ages: the cardinal virtues ) are wisdom or wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. Plato's theory of the cardinal virtues has been the trend for the whole virtue ethics theory. For Aristotle, virtue is the way to happiness. The bliss is but here not understood as a subjective feeling of happiness, but as a felicitous life. Life succeeds when man realizes the opportunities that are created in it ( entelechy ).

Christian virtues

The Christian virtues go back to the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament. In the New Testament Jesus Christ adds this morality in the Sermon on the Mount in his Beatitudes with the virtues of justice, mercy, gentleness, purity of heart and peacefulness. Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the application of the virtues of almsgiving, of prayer and fasting ( Mt 6, 1-21): There it is not only on how to do this itself, but mainly on the motivations behind it.

The three theological virtues (also called theological virtues ) are the first letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13:13). You are commented on, among other things in the works of Thomas Aquinas. They are: Faith (Latin fides ), hope (Latin spes ) and love (Latin caritas ). In the teaching of the Catholic Church come to these three theological virtues nor the four cardinal virtues added.

Heavenly virtues

Based on the Psychomachia, a text by the poet Prudentius Christian from the 4th century, has evolved in the Middle Ages the list of the seven heavenly virtues, which wrestle with a respective unrighteousness (see also mortal sin ) for supremacy in the soul. This collection was widespread by editing in the musical work of Hildegard of Bingen in the Christian West in the Middle Ages:

Knight virtues

As a knight virtues were staete, minne, high muet, Maze and triuwe ( mittelhochdt. minstrelsy ), which is roughly with resistance (in the sense of integrity ), Mrs service, serenity / enthusiasm, moderation and sincere loyalty can be translated. The allegorical Price poem on Emperor Charles IV by Heinrich von Mügeln " The shun wreath " includes ( 1355 ) a theory of virtue, in which the twelve virtues of wisdom, truth, justice, compassion, peacefulness, fortitude ( strength ), faith, temperance, goodness, humility, hope and love occur. See also chivalry.

Bourgeois virtues

Civic virtues include in particular: neatness, frugality, diligence, cleanliness and punctuality. These virtues are directed to the practical accomplishment of everyday tasks. Its social function is to establish and secure economic livelihoods. Otto Friedrich Bollnow They are therefore referred to as economic virtues. Make the pragmatic counterweight to the other, often presents in ideals oriented Civic virtues are called these virtues, since they provided the conditions for the middle class in the era of the Enlightenment, to emancipate themselves culturally and economically against the nobility.

Social virtues

In psychology, the Italian form theorist Giuseppe Galli speaks ( University of Macerata ) of " social virtues " and called as such devotion, gratitude, amazement, forgiveness, trust and sincerity. It involves positive and constructive interpersonal behaviors that are each characterized by a specific structure of the interpersonal relationship field.

Prussian virtues

To this canon different virtues see Prussian virtues.

Buddhism

The moral principles of Buddhism are the five Silas:

Woman virtues

In Western culture, especially following properties are associated with virtuous women: domesticity, thrift, chastity. Since the Christianization of Europe Maria is considered virtuous example. Since it is often portrayed in the Apocrypha as a woman who does manual work, it belongs in the period following the canon of virtues for women to do manual work (Prov. 31.10 to 31 EU). The Christian authors have here, however, patterns of behavior of antiquity and of Judaism adopted (see Lucretia, Penelope, the Ketubott of the Talmud ).

Soldierly virtues

In an earlier version of the central regulation of the Bundeswehr states that mutual understanding, good will and helpfulness camaraderie gave birth to, which is also larger loads consider. " The soldierly virtues develop in the small communities of the troops. There the fellowship is formed; she shows up for each other in use, particularly in trouble or danger. You should connect Superiors and subordinates fixed in all positions. [ ...] [ They are ] confidence and support. Who can afford more, you have to help the less experienced and weaker. Wrong ambition, selfishness and dishonesty destroy the camaraderie. "