VirtueDr. Patrick J. DiVietriWhen we speak about moral character, maturity and happiness we are talking about virtue. A moral character is one that is inclined to what is good. Maturity is self possession to think and act rightly with stability of character. Happiness is the goal of all moral acts and virtue. Until Bill Bennett's book on virtues the word "virtue" was lost to modern society as being part of a time that seemed to be no longer relevant. Although the word has returned we have still lost the skills to analyze the virtue so that we can better communicate it and grow as we ought. Thus we need practical questions that will draw our attention to the nature of virtue and its role in our lives. For example, if we ask the question of a group of adults or adolescence, "What are the ingredients or values of a healthy family?" or "What qualities do you want to see in a friend?" You will receive a list of virtues. We can then think about the nature of any particular virtue and look for objectives that will help our children or ourselves acquire the virtue in practical ways. For example, some of the qualities of orderliness has to do with organizing and carrying out activities. Thus, the instructions to a child to put away their toys, put the books back in the bookcase, or setting the table becomes exercises in orderliness. Thinking about what we do know and what we need to do in order to develop virtue is the task at hand.
|
|
Please be aware that another website is using the Family Life Institute and Dr. DiVietri's name without authorization. Considering the nature of the website and the contents it links to we are not naming the imposter website or giving a link to it. The Family Life Institute is currently seeking what recourse it can take to stop the activities of the website in question.
|
