7 Period of Self Evaluation, Research Paper Example

A virtue can be considered to be a trait or characteristic that an individual or group possess which bears some positive effect. For example, the notion of honesty as a virtue implies that being honest can engender positive repercussions. Furthermore, these positive repercussions occur mainly in a social setting. Virtues are considered important because they constitute proper ways of conduct with others, while also promoting a greater communal sense of belonging. Virtues denote a certain ethical stance that an individual takes in his or her own life, which are not only beneficial to the individual but to the community in its entirety.

Ten virtues that I consider to be important aspects of a person’s life are justness, honor, benevolence, acceptance, bravery, creativity, trustworthiness, selflessness, simplicity and tranquility. Justness may be defined as a virtue that includes treating others with a symmetrical fairness. This means that one is consistent in their relations to other people, lacking any judgmental character. Peronsal Rating: 4

Honor refers to a certain commitment that an individual makes within the context of their life. These are principles that one believes in, be they individual convictions or social beliefs that one shares. Honor is defined according to how one remains faithful to these convictions and beliefs. 3

Benevolence describes a humaneness and goodness that is central to one’s ethical conduct. In other words, actions are performed with a view to a greater good and positive effect. 3 (after journal rating: 4)

Acceptance is an ethical decision that respects the viewpoints of others.  In other words, one does not assume that their own convictions are absolute truths, but that other ways of life are to be accepted. 4 (after journal rating: 4)

Bravery is the attempt to perform good in situations that are less than ideal. It requires making an ethical decision at moments when the very possibilities of such a decision seem hopeless. 4

Creativity is essentially making the most of one’s life. It is a virtue that allows one to flourish according to personal and social convictions, while introducing novelty into the world. 2

Trustworthiness is the commitment to a social relationship. It signifies that one is open to the other, that one can maintain a friendship with another. It is at the same time the demonstration of a respect for the existential choices of other people without judgment. 4

Selflessness entails that one understands that they are not the center of the universe. It is an anti-egotistical position, one that is essentially a commitment to the common good ahead of any individual interests. 3

Simplicity is the rejection of a materialist existence. It is rather a higher state of being, in which the individual does not get caught up in superficial appearances, thus allowing for an appreciation of a greater diversity of values. 3

Tranquility is a prerequisite to putting things into perspective. It is the realization that trivial, individual problems are not the alpha and omega of existence. It allows one to understand phenomena from an objective viewpoint. 3

Aristotle’s remark that “virtues are manifested in a person’s life in habitual action” means that the theoretical or conceptual importance given to virtues must be reflected in praxis. In other words, saying that one lives according to a certain virtue is not enough, as the idea is insufficient. Rather, this idea must be manifested in action and therefore, virtue is primarily an existential concept, which means that virtues must refer to how one lives their life. For example, trustworthiness is an obvious virtue that must be put into practice. To say that you are a trustworthy person is not enough. One must live according to an embodiment of this trust. Friends who confide in you must understand that their confessions will be respected: it is not enough to merely say one is trustworthy – this virtue must be demonstrated. Accordingly, trustworthiness is a clear example of how virtues are primarily meaningful in the realm of action and human relations.

Day 1: Today I believe I did not fully realize the virtue of simplicity. I went to the shopping mall and spent a lot of money on clothes. This was a case in which I placed an emphasis on materialistic factors and took a superficial approach to life.

Day 2: When I helped a friend move out from his apartment, I believe this was an example of selflessness. I had many things to do for school and work, but I nevertheless took the time out to help them. The friend was under a lot of stress because of the move, and I felt that my presence had a positive effect on them.

Day 3: I donated a sum of money to an online charity. I think this is a good example of benevolence and the commitment to help others. Instead of purchasing something for myself, I decided to give with the intent of producing a greater, positive effect within society.

Day 4: Today a friend told me about the problems he is having in his relationship with his girlfriend. I felt this was a good example that I display trustworthiness, as he felt comfortable coming to me to discuss his problems. Furthermore, I listened attentively to what he said and did not pass any judgment, nor tell anyone else about his issues.

Day 5: I was angered while driving in traffic. For such a trivial thing, my blood was boiling. When considering the virtue of tranquility, I do not think in the situation I fulfilled my ethical commitment. I did not recognize the insignificance of the incident and failed to place things in their proper perspective.

Day 6: I went to a restaurant today with a friend and one of their friends who I do not get along with. My friend is currently short of money and I of course intended to pay for his meal. But I also paid for the meal of his friend, putting our past differences aside. I think this is a good example of justness in the sense of treating other people in an equal manner.

Day 7: I had a debate about political issues with a co-worker. Normally, we are diametrically opposed in terms of how we view the world. I, however, demonstrated the effort to listen carefully to their position and try to think from their viewpoint. This is a good example of the virtue of acceptance, as I did not merely assume that my position was correct, but reflected on an opposing perspective.

Justness 4, Honor 3, Benovlence 4, Acceptance 4, Creativity 1, Trustworthiness 4, Selflessness 3, Simplicity 1, Tranquility 1

Benjamin Franklin’s account of virtue and how one should try to live according to these virtues demonstrates the difficulty of this endeavor. Moreover, Franklin stresses the diversity of different virtues, each requiring its own separate course of action. I felt that Franklin’s difficulties were reflected in my own situations. Different contexts arise continually in life, and many times one shall act virtuous according to one context and non-virtuous in another context. This also demonstrates the greater diversity of the different situations and social relations that altogether constitute human existence. Living a virtuous life is in no way facile, because virtue itself is a highly complex issue, as demonstrated in the plethora of virtues that exist. We should also consider the subjectivity of virtues, which means that what one person may consider virtuous can be considered lacking virtue from the perspective of another.

What is also crucial to Franklin’s story is the attention he gives to pride. In Franklin’s text, pride essentially acts as the greatest non-virtue. By pride, I understand that Franklin generally means an excessive individuality. Many of our common virtues are precisely defined in terms of how we should conduct or relate ourselves to others. Non-virtuous behavior can therefore be traced back to this pride, this excessive individualism that entails a neglect for the general existence of others. Accordingly, a general rule of thumb that I acquired from both Franklin’s account and my own experiences is that anti-individualistic acts are often the most virtuous.