Virtue is one of the major universal themes and a recurring theme throughout the readings in this course. A virtue is a standard of how humans standardize their behaviors based on moral excellence. Although the characteristics of virtues from different times in history and different societies show differences, they are interrelated, which is a ability to do what is good. In a closed ancient society, virtue becomes distinctive through comparison to negative acts. Western and Eastern literatures portray and emphasize the characteristics of virtues in a slightly different way.
When mentioning the traditional virtue in Eastern literature, I would make reference to one of the most famous Chinese classical television shows, called Journey to the …show more content…
LaoZi emphasizes the importance to act in accordance with the characteristics of water since virtues according to LaoZi are presented through water. Great personalities should consist of the characteristics of water, which are kindness, humility, and flexibility. If everyone in the society acts of kindness and giving without the expectation of return and shows humility and flexibility at the same time, then there would be an absence of turmoil in …show more content…
Wisdom and courage are two of the common virtues present in both novels. According to Socrates, virtue can be learned through knowledge and wisdom. He believes that no nobody would do something harmful if they were aware what is considered virtuous act. He has the wisdom to differentiate between right and wrong. He is the man who has the courage to step out and questions society’s way of living. Courage is one of the most important of all the virtues, because with courage, we can practice other virtues consistently by triumphing over the fear to fulfill them. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s courage is shown through his engagement in a hero quest. He takes part in a journey and he defeats great forces. It requires courage to admit his fear and triumph over it. Sometimes, courage requires wisdom. After a series of journeys, Gilgamesh becomes a wiser man than he was before. He learns to think for the first time and act accordingly. Wisdom and courage have become influential concepts in Western literature in term of virtue.
Although Western and Eastern literatures present the characteristics of virtue in a slightly different way, their concepts of virtue are fundamentally the same. A virtue is a moral characteristic that a person needs to live well. In the Epic of Gilgamesh and The Trial of Socrates, two of the common characteristics of virtue are courage and wisdom.
When mentioning the traditional virtue in Eastern literature, I would make reference to one of the most famous Chinese classical television shows, called Journey to the …show more content…
LaoZi emphasizes the importance to act in accordance with the characteristics of water since virtues according to LaoZi are presented through water. Great personalities should consist of the characteristics of water, which are kindness, humility, and flexibility. If everyone in the society acts of kindness and giving without the expectation of return and shows humility and flexibility at the same time, then there would be an absence of turmoil in …show more content…
Wisdom and courage are two of the common virtues present in both novels. According to Socrates, virtue can be learned through knowledge and wisdom. He believes that no nobody would do something harmful if they were aware what is considered virtuous act. He has the wisdom to differentiate between right and wrong. He is the man who has the courage to step out and questions society’s way of living. Courage is one of the most important of all the virtues, because with courage, we can practice other virtues consistently by triumphing over the fear to fulfill them. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s courage is shown through his engagement in a hero quest. He takes part in a journey and he defeats great forces. It requires courage to admit his fear and triumph over it. Sometimes, courage requires wisdom. After a series of journeys, Gilgamesh becomes a wiser man than he was before. He learns to think for the first time and act accordingly. Wisdom and courage have become influential concepts in Western literature in term of virtue.
Although Western and Eastern literatures present the characteristics of virtue in a slightly different way, their concepts of virtue are fundamentally the same. A virtue is a moral characteristic that a person needs to live well. In the Epic of Gilgamesh and The Trial of Socrates, two of the common characteristics of virtue are courage and wisdom.