The Loss of the Language of Virtue

The Circe Institute has defined of classical education as, "the cultivation of wisdom and virtue by nourishing the soul on truth, goodness, and beauty."  My own reading of the history of classical and Christian education has convinced me that this is truly reflective of the tradition.  As the Apostle Peter says, "make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge" and the Apostle Paul, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence [virtue], if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."   Not only that, but the language of the virtues is ubiquitous in the great works of Christian faith in the history of the church.  Theologians, ascetics, and other writers on the Christian life all dwell on how to become virtuous and put away vice. A short list of names would include; Augustine, John Cassian, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, John of Damascus, John Climacus, Aquinas.  Those are just scratching the surface.

The virtues can be classified and arranged in many ways, but perhaps the most well known is the classification of the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and the three theological virtues (faith, hope, love).  All too briefly, prudence is practical wisdom; it surveys the past for consequences of actions and makes predictions about the possible outcomes of decisions in the future.  Both in order to act wisely in the present.  Justice is giving to each man his due (this is how we treat others and give honor to whom honor is due).  Fortitude is patience and courage in the way of virtue (virtuous action requires perseverance and bravery).  Temperance is another word for self-control.

Unfortunately, this language has been completely lost in the culture at large and has virtually disappeared from the church as well.  It has largely been replaced by the language of "rights".  Though I don't have time to explore this fully, comparing the two approaches is quite revealing.  Notice that the virtues are all about personal responsibility.  They are the things that I should "do" and "be".  "Rights" are all about what society or others owe me.  Rights can be taken away and lost whereas virtue is independent of society and the actions of others.  For more, see one of my favorite books on virtue and the darkness of the Enlightenment, Andreas Kinneging's The Geography of Good and Evil.