The Language Of Virtue.

Virtue is a paradox between what we know and what we feel.

There are culminating virtues in every civilization and there is usually one virtue that sets them apart from other people groups. Language is the basis of all communication and words are the elements of language. Virtue represents a synthesis of mind and emotion that sets up the rules for self government. If there is such a thing as… heaven, utopia, or paradise then I suppose its language is composed of words of superlative virtue. My speculative mind would inquire if the tower of Babel’s demise or Aquinas’s revelation were following this track of wisdom. It is my desire as a World History teacher to identify and catalogue these virtues and then write a story combining them together as a recipe for moral law. This is not to say that I believe that man is naturally good. I am an optimist, however. It is easy to identify negative stereotypes in most civilizations. It seems to be more difficult to find positive traits. I will call this, “The search for a reverse stereotype” for lack of a better term. I have done my best to identify the strength in this weakness to separate people groups with a positive trait rather than a negative one. For example the modern British could easily be saddled with a cold and stodgy label, but if we consider the strength in this apparent weakness then a desire for clarity prevails. Certainly clarity and excellence in little things are admirable characteristics. When Inuit parents infantasize their children they are not doing something virtuous. They are following what Hobbes would call the evil nature of man. However, with a sharing of ideas we have come to realize and change core values in our civilizations. It is these changed virtues that I wish to concentrate on in this project. In some cases these virtues have not progressed; they have regressed and if we can remember, then we may profit from the wisdom of the past. This work is expected to produce a love for history and what we can learn from studying virtue throughout the ages. This BLOG is a work in progress. I request your help in adding or editing literary, artistic or scientific breakthroughs reflecting on the choice of each of these virtues in the civilization discussed. I invite your collaborative suggestions as I continue to write. Allow me to finish this prologue with a literary accomplishment that I am very fond of. Ecclesiastes 1: 9 – 11 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of the former things, nor there any remembrance of the latter things yet to be among those who come after. These posts were first written in 2005. I have attempted to update them. One post will appear for every week of the school year starting this week. 

Philippians 4 : 8 Finally, brothers whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

What should happen at Penn State?

I agree that his statue should be taken down. We need to walk the "second mile" and observe evil, but we must also learn to discern the difference between weakness and evil. Here is BLOG post from Brent Peterson about this.

http://t.co/SKue9ZUe

Does the reference to the “second mile” in the bible challenge you to be vigilant about evil? This can be contrasted with bearing with our weaknesses which is another command in scripture. God exposes us to the weaknesses of other believers so we can bear their burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. In hindsight the Sandusky case looks like a very black and white difference between weakness and sin. Sometimes it can be tricky to discern the difference between weakness and evil. It may have appeared obvious to eye witnesses, but necessarily to Joe Paterno. 

In retrospect we should crush the showers, and suspend football for a year. However, the more important consideration is that we should teach how to better discern weakness from evil at Penn State, and all universities.