human virtues are standard moral qualities of human beings, related to the construction of each individual's personality.
List of human virtues
The types of human virtues differ according to authors and fields of study. For philosophers and psychologists, for example, people's basic human virtues are:
- benevolence
- justice
- patience
- sincerity
- responsibility
- optimism
- wisdom
- respect
- self confidence
- contentment
- courage
- detachment
- carefree
- determination
- subject
- empathy
- stability
- generosity
- honesty
- flexibility
- humility
- compassion
- introspection, among others.
Types of Virtue
Virtues acquired
The acquired (or natural) virtues are the habits that are created through the socialization process, whether in the family, at school or in other institutions we have been part of since we were born.
Thus, human virtues are not innate, but elements that build and complement people's personality throughout life. For example, no one is born with “self-confidence” or “honesty”, but learns to have these behaviors from morally positive lessons and references within the environment in which they are inserted.
Another characteristic of virtue is its continuity over time. Virtues are uniform, uninterrupted moral capacities. This means that an isolated moral act does not in itself constitute virtue.
Virtue as a constant disposition brings us closer to the idea of virtue in Aristotle. This philosopher defines it as a constant rational habit that makes the human being good and capable of fulfilling his functions well. For Aristotle, virtue is the fair measure (or middle ground) between excess and deficiency. As a habit, we are not born virtuous, but we become virtuous through practice and education.
Plato and other philosophers summarized all human virtues into four distinct types: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. These fundamental (or cardinal) virtues are defined by Plato as capacities of the soul. The human soul has some functions, and its ability to fulfill them are its virtues.
It is worth remembering that human virtues represent positive characteristics and qualities of an individual's behavior. The virtues are responsible for shaping and dictating each person's character, values, and personality.
supernatural virtues
In the religious realm, according to most Christian doctrines, the human virtues (or moral virtues) must be combined with the so-called supernatural virtues. They are also called “infused virtues” (poured, inspired), as they come to the soul through sanctifying grace. That is, these virtues are received directly from God.
The supernatural virtues are distinguished into theological virtues and moral virtues. At theological virtues they consist of three gifts: faith, charity and hope. The origin and purpose of these virtues is God. They shape the moral virtues.
At moral virtues they are numerous and can be defined as acts of kindness that are in accordance with the theological virtues. Moral virtues are the means that lead to the ultimate end, which is supernatural.
Opposed to virtue is vice. But this word must be understood in its widest sense, as something that destroys the individual's qualities from within, making him deviate from the path of virtue.
See too:
- meaning of virtue
- Qualities of a person
- Qualities and Flaws of a Person
- A Person's List of Defects
