What are Virtues?

A634.6.3.RB

Select three of Franklin's virtues and reflect upon them in your blog. Ask yourself, how can I include them in my daily life?

Virtues play an important role in our personal and professional environments as they demonstrate our moral standards through behaviors, interactions, and decision making. LaFollette (2007) notes Aristotle’s position of a virtuous person as: (1) do the appropriate action; (2) do so habitually (regularly, and in a variety of circumstances); (3) enjoy acting virtuously; ously; (4) know that it is virtuous; and (5) know why it is virtuous (p. 3209).

An important figure synonymous with virtues and their commitment to self-improvement to be more virtuous is Benjamin Franklin. In fact, Ben Franklin established 13 virtues that he actively set to improve. Ben’s 13 Virtues included (PBS.org, 2002):

1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. Industry. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Of Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues, the three that I believe have the most impact in my situation and can always be improved are: Temperance, Resolution, Tranquility. Before going into each virtue, it is important to note that I am an Aries. Although I am not fully committed to the astrological frame of mind and practices, I do feel that there are important traits and characteristics that closely represent zodiac signs and individuals. Understanding this, I do acknowledge certain traits that closely represented some of my own traits.

In identifying the traits that could potentially be negative (in and of themselves), I have committed significant effort to use these traits to produce positive results and sustainable habits. It just so happens that the traits that I work on continuously for my own self-improvement, directly affect my temperance, resolution, and tranquility. For example, Aries are known to have the following traits (astrology-zodiac-signs.com, 2017):

Strengths: Courageous, determined, confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, passionate

Weaknesses: Impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive, aggressive

Aries likes: Comfortable clothes, taking on leadership roles, physical challenges, individual sports

Aries dislikes: Inactivity, delays, work that does not use one's talents

As one may imagine, keeping some of these traits in check is necessary to positively grow and become more virtuous. Indeed, these efforts require constant monitoring and foresight.

Temperance: Self-control is an important trait for anyone dealing with others, especially leaders. Thus, I am conscious that I sometimes have the natural urge to respond or react according to the situation. I have learned over the course of many years of experience and leadership positions that there are: 1) more than one version (perspective) of the situation 2) factors emerge constantly in fluid environments 3) the human factor can amplify the situation. I have gained an appreciation of the what was known in the military environment as “tactical patience.” By allowing certain situations to develop, one can gain a better understanding of the core issue and the contributing factors. Resisting the natural urge to respond or react without fully understanding the situation can be costly in that improper actions could follow or not enough resources were devoted to address an issue. While many situations are straight forward and require less critical thinking, in a dynamic environment, issues tend to be the result of factors either known or unknown.

Resolution: There are many occasions where my initiative far outweighs my commitment to see a project through completions. In fact, I enjoy the beginning hustle and planning of a new adventure. However, when arriving at a constant or maintenance process, I tend to lose interest. Understanding this about myself, I ensure that during certain portions of a project, I have very capable people to help support or take over as I like to move on to other challenges. This situation allows me to work with other in coaching, developing, and putting others in a position of increased responsibility.

Tranquility: Being driven and competitive can be a positive trait when this energy is focused in the proper direction. There have been many instances when I have allowed small set-backs to affect my overall progress. I have learned that small set-backs/failures are opportunities to try from a different angle or see the situation from a different perspective. Most importantly, my sense of proportion has improved greatly as a result of both of experiences involving victories and defeats. Known this allows me to focus on the factors that I have control of.

References

Astrology-Zodiac-Signs.com. (2017). Aries Traits. Retrieved from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/zodiac-signs/aries/

PBS.org. (2002). Wit and Wisdom. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l3_wit_self.html

LaFollette, H. (2007). The practice of ethics. [Kindle edition] Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.