Cardinal virtues西方四德【DOC精选】.doc

Cardinal virtues From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In Christian traditions there are 4 cardinal virtues: Prudence- able to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time Justice- proper moderation between self-interest and the rights and needs of others Restraint or Temperance- practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation Courage or Fortitude- forbearance, endurance, and ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation These were derived initially from Platos scheme (see Protagoras 330b, which also includes piety (hosiotes)) and adapted by Saint Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, and Thomas Aquinas (see Summa Theologica II(I).61). The term cardinal comes from the Latin cardo or hinge; the cardinal virtues are so called because they are hinges upon which the door of the moral life swings. The Cardinal virtues as depicted on the tomb of Pope Clement II in Bamberg CathedralIustitia (justice) Fortitudo (fortitude) Prudentia (prudence) Temperantia (temperance) Plato identified them with the classes of the city described in The Republic, and with the faculties of man. Temperance was common to all classes, but primarily associated with the producing classes, the farmers and craftsmen, and with the animal appetites, to whom no special virtue was assigned; fortitude was assigned to the warrior class and to the spirited element in man; prudence to the rulers and to reason. Justice stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among the three of them. It may have been taken up from there into Jewish philosophy; Wisdom 8:7 reads, She [Wisdom] teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life. It was certainly taken up in Christianity, as St. Augustine, discussing the morals of the church, described them: For these four virtues (would that all felt their influence in their minds as they have their names in thei