An Exploration of Virtue
“Virtue is the perfection of a thing.” — Zeno of Citium
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what exactly Virtue is. The Stoics talk a lot about Virtue. In fact, virtue is the dominant and necessary component of living a good life.
But what exactly is Virtue? Is it a blessed state of existence, like living in what Christians would call Grace? In that case, is Virtue something that we can live in? Is it touchable, graspable?
“Virtue is a harmonious condition that is choice worthy for its own sake and not only out of fear of or hope for its consequences. Eudaimonia consists in virtue, since virtue makes life harmonious.” — Zeno
It seems like Zeno clearly answers my question here. He seems to think that Virtue is a condition of existence, and implies virtue is attainable on the material plane.
But how does one stay living in accord to Virtue? Is it attained once, or do we have to keep pursuing it? If this is true, is it touchable at all? Maybe we should look at what the Ancient Greeks defined as Virtue, first.
