Meaning of cardinal virtues (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Cardinal Virtues:

The cardinal virtues, also called moral virtues, are those virtues that are essential for human relations and the 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 the orientation of the person's behavior towards full humanization, as well as towards the construction of a more just and healthy society.

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

Furthermore, it is said that the cardinal virtues are a response to the wounds caused in humans 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 ignorance of understanding. Prudence is the ability to reflect before speaking or acting, and to assess the appropriate way and means to intervene in a situation.

Therefore, it implies a sense of opportunity, that is, of judging when is the right moment to act or speak.

The practice of prudence involves following at least three essential elements, which are: thinking maturely, deciding wisely, and acting for good. All this implies a process of continuous reflection.

Justice

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

Therefore, the righteous respects the acquired rights of the other. For example, the righteous respect the property right as much as the right of fame and honor of the neighbor. Likewise, the just person respects the authority that corresponds to each one according to the role that they fulfill. The just person respects the authority of parents towards children, for example.

Strength

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

Strength involves 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 lust disorder. It is about the virtue of moderating disordered appetites as well as temptations of the senses. For this, the person puts the use of reason before. Through rational exercise, the person achieves mastery of his 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.

See also:

• Virtue. Theological virtues. 11 types of fundamental values ​​in social life. 30 qualities and defects of a person.