What is Virtue? Part 2

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Cultivating Virtue

Poem: “Sonnet 94” by William Shakespeare

Statement of the Whole: Once we know what virtue is, it still a lot of hard work to flesh it out in the classroom.  In a world where virtue and vice are personal opinion, how does a teacher seek to lift up the virtues in wisdom?  Jason and Steve have some fun with this serious consideration.

  1. Playing a Game: Naming the opposite of the virtue
  2. The historic system of “the Virtues” from the medieval model
Virtue Latin Gloss Sin Latin
Chastity Castitas Purity, abstinence Lust Luxuria
Temperance Temperantia Humanity, equanimity Gluttony Gula
Charity Caritas Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice Greed Avaritia
Diligence Industria Persistence, Effort, ethics Sloth Acedia
Patience Patientia Forgiveness, mercy Wrath Ira
Kindness Humanitas Satisfaction, compassion Envy Invidia
Humility Humilitas Bravery, modesty, reverence Pride Superbia

 

  1. Cultivating Virtue in the Classroom
    1. Model Virtue
    2. Establish Routine
    3. Praise Habits
    4. Create Opportunities
  2. Some stories to illustrate
    1. Courage:
      1. Sarcastically, model by publicly shouting at your superiors and on the ball field
      2. Establish routine by having a time where you read about courageous characters
    2. Praise both when a pupil pushes through timidity and checks rashness
    3. Create opportunities for competition and collaboration
    4. Hope: Model by refusing to be worn down by the drudgery and monotony of the third quarter
    5. Establish routine by reading stories of deliverance
    6. Create opportunities through excessive pop quizzes and painting vividly the eschaton that they might become enamored by it.
  3. One last note: The Medieval virtues and vices are particularly helpful for young students to see the division.