Meaning of Cardinal Virtues (What they are, Concept and Definition) - Meanings

Meaning of Cardinal Virtues

What are the Cardinal Virtues:

The cardinal virtues, also called moral virtues, are those virtues that are essential to human relationships and social order. They get their name from the Latin word "cardo", which means main or fundamental. Thus, it is understood that the cardinal virtues are those main and fundamental values.

These virtues, also associated with the theological virtues, are a point of reference for guiding the conduct of the person towards full humanization, as well as towards the construction of a fairer and healthier society.

The cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. They are complemented by the theological virtues, which are faith, hope, and charity.

It is also said that the cardinal virtues are a response to the wounds propitiated in the human being by sin. Thus, each of them corresponds to the healing of a particular element. Let us now look at each of the cardinal virtues separately.

Prudence

Prudence is a virtue whose purpose is to amend or heal the ignorance of understanding. Prudence is the ability to reflect before speaking or acting, as well as to evaluate the appropriate way and means to intervene in a situation.

It implies, therefore, the sense of opportunity, that is, of judging what is the right moment to act or speak.

The practice of prudence implies following at least three essential elements, which are: think maturely, decide wisely and act for the good. All this implies a process of continuous reflection.

Justice

Justice is a virtue that arises to oppose the malice of will. Thus, justice is understood as the manifest will of a person that everyone receives what he deserves and is fair, that is, that everyone receives what corresponds to him.

Therefore, the just respects the acquired rights of the other. For example, the just respects the right to property as well as the right to fame and the honor of others. Likewise, the just respects the authority that corresponds to each one according to the role that he fulfills. The righteous respect the authority of parents towards children, for example.

 

Strength

Strength is the virtue that opposes weakness. It is about the virtue of having the strength to fight for the difficult good, that is, for those constructive goals or noble principles that require effort. Also, strength helps the person to moderate his boldness when it is excessive.

Strength implies acting in two ways: attacking and resisting. Attacking refers to acting immediately to conquer what is desired. Along with this, it is necessary to resist despair and fear. For this, it is necessary that the person also has a path in self-knowledge.

 

Temperance

Temperance is a response to the disorder of concupiscence. It is about the virtue of moderating disordered appetites, as well as the temptations of the senses. To do this, the person puts the use of reason first. Through rational exercise, the person achieves control of her passions to preserve the common good.

The means of temperance are abstinence, sobriety, chastity, and continence. Other virtues that usually accompany temperance are humility and meekness.

 

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