The Natural Virtues
by Charles Debelak
Although Aristotle’s teachings about virtue are more than 2,000 years old, they ring true to 21st century ears. I believe this is because Aristotle’s virtues are, what we would label today, “natural virtues.” These are behaviors which are universally recognized as good. They appeal to common sense. Natural virtues are respected and valued regardless of religion, culture, or race.
Although Aristotle’s teachings about virtue are more than 2,000 years old, they ring true to 21st century ears. I believe this is because Aristotle’s virtues are, what we would label today, “natural virtues.” These are behaviors which are universally recognized as good. They appeal to common sense. Natural virtues are respected and valued regardless of religion, culture, or race.
Take the virtue of courage for example. Courage is universally valued. No matter one’s cultural or religious background, courage is considered a good thing. Can you imagine someone speaking to the contrary, “We need less courage? Courage is overrated. It is just as valuable to be cowardly?” There would be no need to contradict this fool’s rant. The importance of courage is self-evident. That’s because courage is a natural virtue. An inner acknowledgment holds that courage is a good thing.
The virtue of self-control is the same. We admire those who can self-manage their temporal wants in order to do what is right for themselves and others. How silly it would sound if someone declared, “Let’s renounce self-control! Live for the moment! Indulge your greed, your lust, and your vanity!” Not even the epicurean or the hedonist would take this position.
Then there are the virtues of compassion, justice, humility, and gratitude. I do not need to make an argument for the value and importance of each. And anyone contending for the practice of callousness or partiality or arrogance or selfishness, would certainly make themselves a buffoon. Once again, the natural virtues simply ring with truth.
For a school like Birchwood, which embraces cultural diversity while addressing character development, it is necessary to embrace the natural virtues. They favor neither ethnicity nor religion. They speak to the better angels in all of us. The natural virtues expressed in the Aristotelian virtue enable Birchwood to nurture a community with a common culture and aspirations.
Click here to view Mr. Debelak’s Education at Birchwood Video Series.
This article was written by Birchwood’s Head of School Charles Debelak to provide parents with information about sound educational principles and child development issues gleaned from history, contemporary research, and his 50+ years of educating, coaching, and counseling children, young adults, and parents.
Click here to view Mr. Debelak’s Education at Birchwood Video Series.
This article was written by Birchwood’s Head of School Charles Debelak to provide parents with information about sound educational principles and child development issues gleaned from history, contemporary research, and his 50+ years of educating, coaching, and counseling children, young adults, and parents.
