Single Idea 6014

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / d. Courage]

Full Idea

Panaetius recast the virtue of courage as 'greatmindedness' (Aristotle's paramount virtue), he demoted military valour and gave priority to courage displayed in civic life.

Gist of Idea

Panaetius identified courage with great-mindedness, preferring civic courage to military

Source

report of Panaetius (fragments/reports [c.145 BCE]) by Elizabeth Asmis - Panaetius

Book Reference

'Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy', ed/tr. Zeyl,Donald J. [Fitzroy Dearborn 1997], p.362


A Reaction

I find this very appealing, as I am increasingly horrified by our denigration of the people who implement our democracy for us. We urgently need to get back to the Greek idea of civic virtue, and this idea of Panaetius should be widely promulgated.