Mikey: Everything is learned. Everything, that is, except some
rudimentary physical instincts like sucking. Principles can certainly be
taught, but I don't know if you can teach virtue (assuming virtue is
behavior based on principles). Take, for example, two doctors, both value
life. One becomes a heart surgeon and makes a million dollars, the other
joins Doctors Without Borders and lives modestly all his life. To me the
second man is far more virtuous than the first though the first may live
an exemplary life. Was the second man taught to be virtuous or did he
learn to be through some life experiences that are not reducible to some
lessons? I think the latter. He was taught principles, but life made him
virtuous.
Does this preclude a 'profit motive' from EVER being virtuous?
Was Mother Teresa 'virtuous'?
Do you think Christopher Hitchens would agree?
Is Hitchens virtuous?
Whose standards are we to use?
Surprisingly, not hung over
p
_________________
[insert pithy quote here]
Paul Stone
pas@xxxxxxxx
Leamington, ON. Canada
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