Virtues are classified into: (i) Cardinal virtues and (ii) Theological virtues

 

I.      CARDINAL VIRTUES

The cardinal virtues are otherwise referred to as natural virtues. They are the standards of moral quotient expected of every rational mind. The concept of cardinal virtues was first developed by the Socratic philosophers namely: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. These ancient Greeks were the leading philosophers on teachings of morality, ethics or virtue. The term cardinal derived from the Greek word Cardo, meaning 'hinge', thus suggesting that cardinal virtues are the natural and basic virtues upon which human peaceful co-existence depends or is hinged.  They are prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice. Later in the medieval period, Christian philosophers such as St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas gave religious perspectives to the cardinal virtues.

 

Prudence: This is the virtue of being cautious in risky and dangerous circumstances. It is also the ability to discipline oneself by the use of reason. With regards to the use of resources, prudence enables skilful and sound judgement concerning their use.

 

Temperance: This is a moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. A person that possesses temperance has self-restraint over his or her desires for pleasure or likes. The virtue of temperance can be acquired through the practice of mortification and self-denial, and makes it easy for us to always consider the interest of others over ours.

 

Fortitude: The ability to be firm in difficult situations and constancy in pursuit of the good is what is referred to as fortitude. Fortitude is otherwise referred to as courage, because it empowers a person with divine strength to overcome temptations in the face of trying times. It is also a virtue that gives consolation in times of affliction, to enable a person submit to the will of God and align every suffering with that of Jesus Christ.

 

Justice: Justice is the moral virtue that entails an unwavering will to always give what is due to God and neighbour, the desire and resolve to give others their due, seeking to promote fair play. It is synonymous to equity in secular parlance; it is being fair to everyone irrespective of who they are. A just person tries to treat others as he or she would like to be treated. Justice thus demands that you reward goodness and punish evil. Justice is of three different types:

1. Commutative Justice: When a customer pays a fair price for worthwhile goods.
2. Distributive Justice: When it involves the relationship between one and many, that is, between an individual and a group.
3. Social Justice: When it concerns the relationship between individuals and groups, between two individuals, and between one person and a perceived enemy.