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Single Idea 18444

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue ]

Full Idea

The object of the civil virtues is to make us benevolent in our dealings with our fellow-human beings, and are so-called because they unite citizens.

Gist of Idea

Civil virtues make us behave benevolently, and thereby unite citizens

Source

Porphyry (Launching Points to the Realm of the Mind [c.280], 1Enn2 I.1)

Book Ref

Porphyry: 'Launching Points to the Realm of the Mind', ed/tr. Guthrie,Kenneth [Phanes 1988], p.27

A Reaction

Modern commentators underestimate the close link between ancient virtue and citizenship. It is hard for one person to have much of a notion of virtue if they live on a desert island, beyond caring for personal health.

Related Idea

Idea 18446 Purificatory virtues detach the soul completely from the passions [Porphyry]

The 21 ideas from 'Launching Points to the Realm of the Mind'

18444 Civil virtues make us behave benevolently, and thereby unite citizens [Porphyry]
18445 Civil virtues control the passions, and make us conform to our nature [Porphyry]
18446 Purificatory virtues detach the soul completely from the passions [Porphyry]
18447 There are practical, purificatory, contemplative, and exemplary virtues [Porphyry]
18448 We should avoid the pleasures of love, or at least, should not enact our dreams [Porphyry]
18449 Nature binds or detaches body to soul, but soul itself joins and detaches soul from body [Porphyry]
18450 Philosophy has its own mode of death, by separating soul from body [Porphyry]
18451 The presence of the incorporeal is only known by certain kinds of disposition [Porphyry]
18453 Intelligence is aware of itself, so the intelligence is both the thinker and the thought [Porphyry]
18454 Time is the circular movement of the soul [Porphyry]
18455 Some think time is seen at rest, as well as in movement [Porphyry]
18452 Memory is not conserved images, but reproduction of previous thought [Porphyry]
18456 Unified real existence is neither great nor small, though greatness and smallness participate in it [Porphyry]
18457 Individual souls are all connected, though distinct, and without dividing universal Soul [Porphyry]
18458 The soul is bound to matter by the force of its own disposition [Porphyry]
18459 Diversity arises from the power of unity [Porphyry]
18462 The soul is everywhere and nowhere in the body, and must be its cause [Porphyry]
18460 God is nowhere, and hence everywhere [Porphyry]
18461 Everything existing proceeds from divinity, and is within divinity [Porphyry]
18463 Successful introspection reveals the substrate along with the object of thought [Porphyry]
18464 Justice is each person fulfilling his function [Porphyry]