Post by JoeC on Jun 25, 2014 22:53:19 GMT -5
A central concept to Stoicism is the recognition that virtue is the sole good, that our own virtue is the only thing within our power and that perfect virtue is sufficient for happiness or tranquility.
This naturally leads to the question, “What are the virtues”? Various writers and cultures have put forth their lists of cardinal virtues. Often at the top of the list are:
1) Prudence
2) Justice
3) Temperance
4) Courage/Fortitude
But just pursuing the cardinal virtues is probably not sufficient, I think. So with the help of Wikipedia, I’ve put together a more comprehensive list of virtues. I think this list accurately describes those facets that a Stoic should seek to develop in order to live in accordance with nature. I’m sure some of these can be further reduced with some discussion and thought.
1) Acceptance - of all that is not in your power
2) Assertiveness - to know your path is right and to not be swayed from it
3) Awareness – of nature in your immediate surroundings and beyond
4) Balance – to realize that there is a natural balance to be maintained in nature and an order to things that cannot be disturbed
5) Benevolence
6) Cautiousness – to be aware of your actions so as to not react in a way that is not in accordance with nature
7) Commitment – towards reaching ones goals
8) Confidence – to pursue your philosophy knowing that it is right
9) Courteousness –
10) Courage -
11) Creativity –
12) Dependability –
13) Detachment –
14) Determination –
15) Diligence -
16) Discernment –
17) Endurance –
18) Equanimity –
19) Fairness –
20) Freedom –
21) Frugality –
22) Honor –
23) Honesty –
24) Industriousness -
25) Impartiality –
26) Integrity –
27) Intuition –
28) Justice –
29) Knowledge –
30) Logic -
31) Loyalty –
32) Mercy –
33) Moderation –
34) Modesty –
35) Order –
36) Patience
37) Perseverance –
38) Persistence
39) Prudence –
40) Reason –
41) Readiness –
42) Resilience –
43) Respectfulness –
44) Responsibility –
45) Restraint –
46) Self-Reliance –
47) Sincerity –
48) Solidarity –
49) Spirituality –
50) Tenacity –
51) Tolerance –
52) Understanding –
53) Unity –
54) Vigilance –
55) Wisdom –
Some might also include citizenship/civic duty to this list; Socrates would clearly put this on his list of virtues. I left this off, however, as a personal choice.
I’ll add some brief thoughts to each of these as time permits. Also, I’d like to discuss each separately in its own thread once a concise list is finalized.
This naturally leads to the question, “What are the virtues”? Various writers and cultures have put forth their lists of cardinal virtues. Often at the top of the list are:
1) Prudence
2) Justice
3) Temperance
4) Courage/Fortitude
But just pursuing the cardinal virtues is probably not sufficient, I think. So with the help of Wikipedia, I’ve put together a more comprehensive list of virtues. I think this list accurately describes those facets that a Stoic should seek to develop in order to live in accordance with nature. I’m sure some of these can be further reduced with some discussion and thought.
1) Acceptance - of all that is not in your power
2) Assertiveness - to know your path is right and to not be swayed from it
3) Awareness – of nature in your immediate surroundings and beyond
4) Balance – to realize that there is a natural balance to be maintained in nature and an order to things that cannot be disturbed
5) Benevolence
6) Cautiousness – to be aware of your actions so as to not react in a way that is not in accordance with nature
7) Commitment – towards reaching ones goals
8) Confidence – to pursue your philosophy knowing that it is right
9) Courteousness –
10) Courage -
11) Creativity –
12) Dependability –
13) Detachment –
14) Determination –
15) Diligence -
16) Discernment –
17) Endurance –
18) Equanimity –
19) Fairness –
20) Freedom –
21) Frugality –
22) Honor –
23) Honesty –
24) Industriousness -
25) Impartiality –
26) Integrity –
27) Intuition –
28) Justice –
29) Knowledge –
30) Logic -
31) Loyalty –
32) Mercy –
33) Moderation –
34) Modesty –
35) Order –
36) Patience
37) Perseverance –
38) Persistence
39) Prudence –
40) Reason –
41) Readiness –
42) Resilience –
43) Respectfulness –
44) Responsibility –
45) Restraint –
46) Self-Reliance –
47) Sincerity –
48) Solidarity –
49) Spirituality –
50) Tenacity –
51) Tolerance –
52) Understanding –
53) Unity –
54) Vigilance –
55) Wisdom –
Some might also include citizenship/civic duty to this list; Socrates would clearly put this on his list of virtues. I left this off, however, as a personal choice.
I’ll add some brief thoughts to each of these as time permits. Also, I’d like to discuss each separately in its own thread once a concise list is finalized.
