Virtuous Living (13 of 13): Conclusion
by Joseph Rowlands
That's the major Objectivist virtues. In each of these cases we can see the moral principle that defines the virtue, and we can see that it can be interpreted in a couple of ways.
The first way is the Passive form of a virtue. It is characterized as a limit on action. It is usually applied when acting to achieve a particular value, so only suggests a specific means. It is in the form "Thou shalt not...". It is compatible with the Static view of life, which holds life as a state, and focuses on just values.
The Active form of virtues are characterized by suggesting a whole range of actions that further the moral principle. This form requires the virtue to be based on a moral principle, as opposed to a moral rule. Which means they always seek some ends through a causal means. It is in the form "These values require these means, so act accordingly."
Active virtues aren't just used to seek particular values, but they aim to further your ability to seek those values. They can be thought of as a superset of the Passive virtues, because they still require you to use the proper means and avoid the improper means of achieving goals. But they're wider in scope in that they work to enhance the general means of achieving the values.
Active virtues are compatible with the dynamic view of life. The dynamic view of life is the view that life is a process, and the ability to live is an essential moral goal. The virtues seek not only to achieve values, but to acquire better means at achieving those values. So the virtues enhance one's ability to live.
The Active virtues are more consistent with the moral principles involved, because they seek not only to use the moral principles when needed, but also to improve the ability to use them. If the moral principles state that certain means are required to achieve certain ends, it makes sense that you'd want to improve your ability to employ those means.
By now the Active/Passive distinction should be clear, and hopefully the evidence is firmly in favor of the Active virtues. Is the distinction useful? If accepted, it provides guidance to living your life that was unavailable before. Further, the major Objectivist virtues have been reevaluated according to this distinction, and we can now use them to live our lives more effectively.
Thank you.
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