Is there any Universally Applicable Virtue?

Question

I'm of the opinion that there is no concept, virtue, moral that trumps them all. Principles should not override process, in my opinion. Do you agree?

Democracy, freedom, liberty, security, equality, love, courage, etc. -- these are all nice things, but I can't think of any such virtue that is applicable to every situation. For example, freedom is usually good, but sometimes too much freedom can lead to chaos. Conversely, order is usually helpful, but too much order leads to tyranny.

Also, what problems do you think arise from people relying too much on a single virtue, or when principle overrides process?

Answer 1

This is an interesting question. And I will have to disagree. I think that you must first catagorize your virtues into two seperate groups.

natural virtues-are those of which every human is capable of. For example- prudence, temperance and justice.

theological virtues-religious virtues bestowed upon man by way of theological thought, for example the three graces of faith, hope and charity.

I think that the first group is very subjective. There are cultural differences throughout the world that would make some actions virtuous here, while they would be frowned upon in other societies. I.E. the kid in Saudi Arabia who has his hand chopped off for stealing a loaf of bread because he is starving. While that might seem like an unethical punishment given the crime, there is neverthelss an acceptable punishment, and therefor justice for the people who populate that culture.

The theological virtues are much closer to the universally accepted ones. Those who are not charitable are aware that they are not helping people who are less fortunate. Those without hope or faith realize that those things exist and are positive, and can tell you with 100 percent certainty that they would practice, and observe the virtue in either.

The second part of your question, and forgive me here, but it seems a little vague. I think that people may rely on a single virtue more than others, but in practice the other virtues are present if not dominant.

When principle overrides process you have a giant mess. All Philosophy and no science, or the other way around is a recipe for disaster, time and time again. That is where fanatics are born. Thanks for the question.

Answer 2

So, if your goal in life was to make millions of dollars, following your logic, you can steal from employees or skim off the top?

If you had a job interview and saw a baby face down in a pond, you would elect for your own personal gain?

You would sacrifice your reputation in life for a job, money, or other temporary pleasure?

Principles are the glue of society, they keep us from diving into chaos. You must know them well, use them wisely, and always keep them around for decisions. This debate is not so black and white as you present it. There are many universals, for different times and different places, including different decisions.

The only constant is thoughtful inquiry, weighing the good and bad on all sides equally and fairly. Think well, and virtue will follow.

Answer 3

Your question leads to the definition of right and wrong and what is universal. Right and wrong are relative concepts, based on functionality of actions towards a group or an individual. A group can for instance determine that murder amongst themselves is wrong and punishable, but they could at the same time consider killing an enemy of the group as an heroic act. The answer to your question lies therefore in the definition of the group. If you consider all living things on the planet as part of your group and you were to base your laws on that notion, the universal virtue would be to live live in complete harmony with nature, feeding of seeds and fruits, like in the beginning, before we got smart.

Answer 4

I think principle has to guide process! Isn't The Golden Rule an application that is fairly amenable to any situation?

Answer 5

Unconditional love. As the colors of the rainbow are contained within sunlight, all virtue is contained within Unconditional Love.

Answer 6

yes there is one virtue that is- principle of nonvoilance-universally applicable to all religion &all the society what ever form of the said society may be