In class we discussed socrates view on virtue. The things that make up virtue are, courage, piety, justice, temperance, and friendship. Socrates thought that if you could not tell him what virtue was then you were not virtuous. If you could not tell him what friendship was you did not have friendship, or if you could not tell him what courage was you were not courageous. Many can’t describe what friendship is on the spot, I think this could also be a factor of never being asked to describe friendship. It is something that we are born with that does not need to be defined to understand it. Humans were not born to be alone, we are pack animals, it is in are DNA to have other humans around us, it is necessary for are survival. You learn quickly that if you do not act in appropriate ways people will not want to be around you, so you learn the basics of friendship. It is not something you can be told how to do like socrates suggests, it is something you learn as children and do not stop learning about. It starts by learning how to share, express your feelings, and learning to compromise. It is the same with love, if asked to describe it, you can get stuck on your own words, but the feeling is there. You are born with these characteristics, you do not need to be explained what they are, they come with age and experience.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI agree with almost everything you have said except where you explain that it is not necessary to know how to definite “something” therefore you are not “it”. I disagree on a personal and professional level. I am in Music Education and am finding out very quickly that if you can not explain, in multiple ways, what exactly you are trying to teach, then how can I teach someone anything. On a personal level agree with humans being pack animals and surviving. I have thought this for years and, to be honest, have used the crutch of “I just know” as a way to not look for the definition, the meaning, the purpose, the virtue of things. I, therefore, am the one missing out on enjoying courage, piety, justice, temperance, and friendship.
Thank you for your post, I really enjoyed your thoughts and perspectives.
Dear David,
ReplyDeleteI read you response and I can agree with you partially. In life I agree that it is very important to be able to define what “something” is, but not with the virtues. Being able to describe friendship is not as important as describing proper uses of vocabulary, words, event, phenomenon's, exc. I agree that by going through life with “just knowing” without actual understanding is a easy way to live life without challenging yourself. The point I was trying to get across was that virtues are words that do not need to be described or taught to know. They are born into us, and are as second nature as filling your lungs with air. Because I can not describe all the proper characteristics of love to you, that has no weight on the fact that I love my brother and would give my life for him. If that is not love then what is? My complaint with Socrates is he thinks to deeply into the meaning of virtues and does not let things just be. Sometimes in life you must take a leap of faith. If I were to question the meaning of all things, I might possibly go crazy. I do like your point on finding the “virtue of things”, it is way to easy to go through life without stoping to reflect on the virtues surrounding use. But does someone need to teach you what virtues are to realize they are right in front of you or do you already hold this knowledge and are reflecting upon it? I will argue that you have known what courage, piety, justice, temperance, and friendship is, but that you are stoping to reflect on what they mean in your life. By reflecting we sometimes see things clearer than any book definitions or teachings. Thank you for your feed back, I like hearing different points of view. I would love to hear back from you on your thoughts.
-EPJ