Definition

Noun: - A cardinal virtue considered attainable through human reason and inherent moral sense: In philosophical and theological contexts, specifically within Scholasticism, a "natural virtue" refers to one of the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) that are understood to be derivable from human nature and reason, as opposed to being infused by divine grace.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Aristotle's ethics extensively discusses the cultivation of the natural virtues.
  • In classical philosophy, justice is considered a natural virtue essential for a well-ordered society.
  • Scholastic thinkers argued that natural virtues, while good, are perfected by the theological virtues.

Advanced Usage

• "The natural virtues": This plural form specifically denotes the set of four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) as a group understood by natural law.
  • The debate centered on whether the natural virtues were sufficient for human flourishing without faith.

Variants and Related Words

• Cardinal virtue (n): A principal virtue on which other virtues depend; often used synonymously with "natural virtue" in this specific philosophical context.
  • Temperance is one of the four cardinal virtues.
• Theological virtue (n): A virtue (faith, hope, charity) held to be infused by God, contrasted with the natural virtues.
  • Charity is a theological virtue that surpasses the natural virtues.

Synonyms

• Moral virtue: A virtue concerned with character and ethical conduct, often overlapping with the concept of natural virtue.
• Cardinal virtue: A primary, pivotal virtue.

Related Concepts

• Natural law (n): The philosophical theory that certain rights or values are inherent by virtue of human nature and can be discerned through reason, which is the foundation for natural virtues.
  • The concept of natural virtue is closely tied to theories of natural law.

Noun

1. (scholasticism) one of the four virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) derived from nature