You are undoubtedly familiar with the expression “Silence is golden,” which cautions that at times saying nothing is preferable to speaking. There are many occasions when observing this proverb is sound advice, but there are other times when observing it is bad advice. I am going to highlight one of those times.
In a 2012 article “The Moral Decline in the Words We Use,” published in Atlantic Magazine, we learn that the use of words related to moral excellence and virtue in American books has declined from 1901 to 2000. There was a 74 percent decline in words like honesty, truthfulness, courage, charity, temperance fortitude, sincerity, modesty, compassion as well as other virtue words. So what? Why should we be concerned about the omission of virtue words in books?
Because as Pelin and Selin Kesebir, the two researchers who conducted the study cited in this article point out: “People simply do not think/talk/write about morality and virtue as much anymore.” The consequences of increasing silence on the subject of virtue are consequential. It can lead to individual and societal confusion about issues of good and bad, right and wrong, and ultimately to moral relativity: “You are entitled to your own opinion about what is right or wrong.”
Among those who are seriously affected by our silence about virtue and morality are our young people. In his article “Students’ Broken Moral Compass,” teacher Paul Barnwell describes how he presented his students with a hypothetical scenario in which a friend of theirs had committed a felony during which other people were seriously hurt. He then asked if students felt they should or shouldn’t turn that friend in to the police. Not one student said s/he would “snitch.” They were unconcerned about those hurt in this scenario. In further discussion with the class, Barnwell discovered that his students had little experience reflecting on their own morality or ethics – and that ethics and character were seldom, if ever, discussed in school.
Young people of course are not the only ones negatively affected by our silence about virtue; we all are, and, as our founding fathers pointed out, our democracy is too. More about that in a moment. First let me clarify that although the words virtues and values are often used as if they mean the same thing; they are different. Values are subjective beliefs or standards that an individual or particular society considers important (i.e. politeness or sportsmanship). Virtues are qualities like the ones I mentioned above that are universally accepted as having high moral value. Values are important, but individual and societal virtues are imperative if we are to be good men and women and expect to have a just and compassionate society.
Our Founding Fathers frequently warned that, if we as a people overlooked the importance of virtue in our lives and the lives of our leaders, democracy would crumble.
“When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.” (Thomas Jefferson quoting Montesquieu)
"To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea." James Madison
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
"Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . . . can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppressive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people." George Washington
Read many more such quotes at: http://liberty1.org/virtue.htm
So, with all of the above in mind, here are some resources for reading about, thinking about, and, hopefully, talking about Virtue. It’s time to end our silence on this important topic.
Resources for Reflection and Discussion about Virtue
The Core Virtues Foundation Website a website about virtues and how they can be taught at home and in schools: https://www.corevirtues.net/
The Good Project strives to equip individuals to reflect upon the ethical dilemmas that arise in everyday life by providing them with the tools to make thoughtful decisions: https://www.thegoodproject.org/
Kindness 101 with Steve Hartman: videos that show examples of people putting virtues into action: https://www.cbsnews.com/feature/kindness-101-steve-hartman/