WHY DO WE NEED TO BE VIRTUOUS?
Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character.
Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.
(Chinese proverb by Lao Tzu)
The concept of virtue is appealing because it “is the concept of something that makes its possessor good: a virtuous person is a morally good, excellent or admirable person who acts and feels well, rightly, as they should” (R. Hurstouse, 2003).
A person with the virtue of kindness, for example, “can be relied on to behave kindly when that is what the situation requires” because “a kind person knows what it is like to be confronted with a requirement of kindness.”
Importantly, virtues are acquired characteristics which shape a person’s thoughts, emotions, motives and behaviour. Acquiring a virtue is a process that shapes how we perceive and react to situations of moral import, for we are cultivating new habits or dispositions.
To be virtuous means striving to comply with one’s full potential, intellectually and morally. A virtuous character lies at the heart of personal fulfilment, meaningful relationships, and social harmony.
Virtuous individuals exhibit moral excellence, adhere to ethical principles, and consistently strive to do what is right and good. Developing virtuous character traits can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life, as these traits influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions in various aspects of life.
According to Aristotle, virtues are the golden mean between excess and deficiency. A virtuous person can see and do what is right in a specific situation and knows how to avoid the extremes of showing too little or too much. For example, courage is a virtue that lies between the vices of cowardice (deficiency) and recklessness (excess). Brave people know how to find the right middle between the extremes of cowardice on the one hand and recklessness on the other.
Virtues for a harmonious society
This course will discuss ordinary virtues, including curiosity, humility, discipline, passion, compassion, patience, anticipation, courage, confidence, perseverance and joy. By cultivating these virtues, individuals enhance their well-being, contribute to a healthier and more harmonious society, and become better people, friends, spouses, and, indeed, motorcycle riders.
How would embracing these virtues help us contribute to a more harmonious society? By developing virtues like compassion and humility, individuals become more understanding and empathetic, allowing them to connect with others on a deeper level and experience greater joy in life as they positively impact those around them. Developing discipline helps set and achieve personal goals, leading to greater life satisfaction. Overall, virtuous character traits contribute to a well-rounded, responsible, and morally upright individual who can positively impact the world.
Developing patience and curiosity in friendships leads to a deeper understanding of one’s friends, encouraging active listening and genuine interest in their experiences. Likewise, courage strengthens the resilience of friendships, enabling individuals to face challenges head-on and remain supportive in times of adversity. Undeniably, these virtuous traits lead to robust, supportive relationships that enrich our lives.
Rajneesh (Osho) once said, “Love is not about possession; it’s all about appreciation.” In romantic relationships, passion keeps the emotional and physical connection alive, while humility allows individuals to recognise and accept their partner’s strengths and weaknesses without judgement and appreciate each other. In addition, compassion enables partners to empathise with each other’s feelings, fostering emotional intimacy and support. The addition of confidence in this mix bolsters self-esteem and fosters a healthy relationship dynamic. These virtues build trust, understanding, and a strong emotional bond within a loving relationship.
And in marriage, patience is crucial for navigating the inevitable challenges that arise. Joy, as a virtue, ensures that both partners continue to celebrate their relationship and each other, fostering positivity and a sense of fulfilment. Discipline helps couples to work together effectively, maintaining open communication and creating a shared vision for their future. The virtue of perseverance fortifies this bond, enabling couples to work through difficulties and continuously strive for a harmonious relationship. Together, these virtues contribute to a resilient, harmonious, and mutually fulfilling marriage.
What if we want to become a better rider?
Anticipation and a sense of hazard enable riders to identify potential dangers on the road and take appropriate action, resulting in safer riding experiences. Confidence allows riders to trust their skills and judgement, while courage helps them face challenges and push their limits.
Passion fuels the desire to improve continuously and master riding techniques. Finally, discipline ensures that riders practise regularly and maintain their skills.
All these virtues contribute to a competent, responsible, and skilful motorcycle rider. Developing a virtuous personality will lead us to become a better version of ourselves in all aspects of our lives. Holding this manual in your hands proves your determination to become a better version of yourself as a motorcycle rider.
To improve your riding skills aiming to become an efficient rider, you need to apply the Roadcraft System as explained in “Motorcycle Roadcraft”, “Total Control”, and “How to Be a Better Rider” books. As we mentioned, having virtuous character traits can significantly enhance a motorcycle rider’s ability to achieve excellence in applying the IPSGA system and become a competent rider. Let’s contemplate on how virtues will assist you in competent riding:
Patience enables riders to remain calm under pressure, allowing them to apply the IPSGA system even in challenging situations effectively. In addition, a patient rider is less likely to make impulsive or risky decisions, prioritising safety and smooth riding over speed or thrill-seeking.
Humble riders recognise their limitations and are open to learning from others. This willingness to seek feedback and continuously improve enables them to refine their application of the IPSGA system, ultimately leading to greater competence and expertise in motorcycle riding.
Curious riders are always eager to learn and discover new ways to enhance their riding skills. This drive to explore and expand their knowledge base leads to a deeper understanding of the IPSGA system and its application, contributing to developing a highly competent rider.
Disciplined riders consistently apply the IPSGA system in all situations, helping to build strong habits that lead to excellence in riding. Discipline promotes self-control, which is essential for maintaining appropriate speeds, road positioning, and gear selection.
Riders with strong anticipation skills can effectively predict the actions of other road users and potential hazards. By anticipating potential challenges, riders can proactively ensure their safety and enhance their overall riding competence. Sense of hazard allows riders to quickly identify and respond to potential dangers on the road. This heightened awareness helps them lead to safer and more controlled riding.
Confidence enables riders to trust their abilities and judgment while applying the IPSGA system. A confident rider is likelier to make informed decisions and execute manoeuvres smoothly, contributing to their competence.
Courageous riders are willing to face challenges and responsibly push their limits. This virtue helps riders overcome obstacles and persevere in their pursuit of excellence.
Passionate riders are intrinsically motivated to achieve excellence in motorcycle riding. This enthusiasm and dedication fuel their commitment to becoming competent riders. In addition, compassionate riders are considerate of other road users, prioritising safety and harmony on the road. With more empathy and understanding, riders can contribute to a more responsible and respectful motorcycling community.
Perseverance allows a rider to continue practicing and refining their IPSGA application, even when progress seems slow or difficult. This persistence can lead to significant improvements in riding competence over time.
The joy of riding can be a powerful motivator for becoming a more competent motorcyclist. When a rider truly enjoys the process of learning and applying the IPSGA system, they’re more likely to invest the necessary effort to continually improve their skills.
The Mindset of a Virtuous Rider
Incorporating virtuous character traits into a rider’s mindset and riding action can lead to numerous benefits beyond simply achieving competence in applying the Roadcraft system. Cultivating virtues like patience, courage, and discipline can help riders build resilience and adaptability in facing challenges and setbacks. This mental fortitude allows riders to bounce back from difficulties and continuously improve their skills, even when faced with obstacles or adversity. Curiosity, humility, and self-respect encourage riders to seek new information, explore different perspectives, and continuously learn. This openness to improvement and self-development enables riders to expand their knowledge and deepen their understanding, resulting in a more comprehensive mastery of motorcycle riding. Riders who embody virtues such as passion and compassion are more likely to experience greater emotional well-being and satisfaction in their motorcycling journey. These positive emotions can create a more enjoyable and fulfilling riding experience, motivating riders to pursue excellence and personal growth. Riders who embody virtues such as anticipation, a sense of hazard, and discipline are more likely to prioritise safety and maintain responsible riding habits. This heightened awareness and commitment to safe riding can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries, contributing to a safer motorcycling environment for all road users.
Finally, by consistently demonstrating virtuous character traits, riders can build trust and a positive reputation among fellow riders and other road users. This trustworthiness and credibility can lead to more meaningful relationships, support networks, and collaborative opportunities within the motorcycling community.
