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Single Idea 15640

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

Full Idea

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

Gist of Idea

Courage is not a virtue, but the form of every virtue at its testing point

Source

C.S. Lewis (works [1950])

A Reaction

This appeared on Twitter, without mention of its source. Adding it breaks my normal rules, but I hope you agree that it is too good to miss. Is not even resolutely facing up to suffering or death a case of genuine courage? Determination, prioritisation?

The 15 ideas with the same theme [virtuous resistance to fear and danger]:

23907 Courage is scientific knowledge [Socrates, by Aristotle]
293 Being unafraid (perhaps through ignorance) and being brave are two different things [Plato]
5224 Strictly speaking, a courageous person is one who does not fear an honourable death [Aristotle]
5226 True courage is an appropriate response to a dangerous situation [Aristotle]
23905 Courage follows reason, which tells us to choose what is noble [Aristotle]
7283 Great courage is not violent [Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)]
6014 Panaetius identified courage with great-mindedness, preferring civic courage to military [Panaetius, by Asmis]
17225 In a free man, choosing flight can show as much strength of mind as fighting [Spinoza]
6241 Contempt of danger is just madness if it is not in some worthy cause [Hutcheson]
20257 Cool courage and feverish bravery have one name, but are two very different virtues [Nietzsche]
15606 Military idea: what does not kill me makes me stronger [Nietzsche]
3848 Cowards are responsible for their cowardice [Sartre]
15640 Courage is not a virtue, but the form of every virtue at its testing point [Lewis,CS]
22400 Courage overcomes the fears which should be overcome, and doesn't overvalue personal safety [Foot]
20197 The courage of an evil person is still a quality worth having [Zagzebski]