The Classical Virtues: Now More Than Ever

also: No Complaints February & February Q&A

If you can keep your head when all about you   

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise [...]

                       

                           -If, Rudyard Kipling

I am not the first person to point out that we are living in uncertain and ideologically-charged times. 

Political narratives continue to polarise us. Social discord and instability continue to be accelerated by technological and cultural change. It would be prudent to put some time and effort into figuring out how we can orient ourselves in turbulent times and how we will anchor ourselves morally and ethically. 

The perennial question of practical philosophy has been, “How do I live a good life?” To address the current moment we can add, “How do I keep my head during a time of cultural and political chaos?”

Apart from the erosion of institutions and social norms, this change is affecting us deeply on the psychological level. We are facing a widespread mental health crisis and more broadly, an epidemic of social alienation, crisis in meaning, and even nihilism.

What values or philosophical attitudes will guide us? How do we keep our moral centre? How do we even remain good people when so many seem to be abandoning basic decency and dignity? In the long run, how do we flourish as individuals and as communities?

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

We don’t actually need to reinvent the wheel here. We have time-tested models, though they are certainly out of fashion. They are the classical virtues. 

Virtue guided the great American civil rights activists of the 1950s and 1960s. They appealed to the virtues, and they exemplified them. So did the founders and refiners of the Judeo-Christian traditions before them, and, the ancients before that. Something like the virtues hold a primary place in most traditional worldviews.

 

To begin a consideration of these classical standards for character, we can look to Plato who outlined the Four Cardinal Virtues for us:

• Prudence

• Justice

• Courage

• Temperance

This would be a logical and wise place to start, and there is enough there to serve as a solid basis for a good life.

But virtue gives birth to virtue. From these original virtues many others arose including:

• Personal responsibility

• Discipline

• Self-control

• Love

The pursuit of virtue leads us to always challenge and better ourselves. As Massimo Pigliucci, in The Quest for Character, explains:

While the word “virtue” comes from the Latin virtus, meaning specifically moral strength, the original Greek term was arete, which meant “that which is good” or, more succinctly, excellence. Not just moral excellence but excellence of any sort.

I believe that serious development of virtue connects us to a virtue ethics, a commitment to living a life of moral character. Our personal orientation thus connects us to values that serve our communities. What values and orientations have proven themselves over time? 

How about these dictums for starters:

• All humans are created equal

• One should be judged by the content of their character

• Your attitude towards life will define you

• There are better and worse answers to moral questions

Such values are out of step with the contemporary moment, but in step with the long arc of moral and ethical development.

Virtue and ethics are a practice. There will be missteps. Sometimes you may feel at a loss. Sometimes the draw of tribalism and irrationality will be strong. You must be willing to stand against a tide of criticism. Sometimes it may feel as though you are standing alone. But you are not. Voices from the past and present will teach you about the hard and long work of doing that which is good.

In addition: No Complaints February

​​The concept of this annual challenge is simple: for one month, don’t verbalise complaints. Equally as important, detach from the complaint cycle in your head. Pay close attention to your thoughts and words, and take a step back when they are going in a negative and fruitless direction.

February is the shortest month of the year. There is no better time to practise a little awareness and self-control.

There is no winning or losing in this challenge. If you mess up, brush yourself off and carry on. Always forward.

It’s a virtue practice. No one said it would be easy.

February Q&A

Throughout January I will be taking questions about fitness training and putting together some long form answers for February. If you would like to ask anything, please email me, post in the comments section, or direct message me through our instagram @thepathofstrength .

For in person or online coaching please visit www.terminalcitytraining.com

Thank you for reading The Path of Strength.