Courage

For years now I've harbored the intention to discuss this theme that relates to Veterans Day. Though of course it might have been another November event that brought it to mind....

The courageous are those who somehow overcome their fear, usually in pursuit of some virtuous goal. Plato recognized the role of the mind in this overcoming, when he defined courage as belief about what sorts of things are to be feared. There, in a nutshell, is why we expect courage of humans but not of animals. We cultivate beliefs in our young that lead them to take chances that, without these beliefs, would strike them as imprudent. As adults, how can we acquire such beliefs while avoiding recklessness?

We might discuss courage's relationship to the ancient Greeks' other three cardinal virtues: justice, temperance, and prudence (wisdom). Notably, Aquinas subordinated courage to justice as well as to prudence; also discussion-worthy is his assertion that fortitude, as opposed to daring, involves standing immobile in the midst of dangers rather than attacking them; for those who can't do philosophy without addressing reason, he also characterized fortitude as making sure the will follows reason.

Those are just a few thoughts via wikipedia. You will bring others, and with luck the best ones will flow from our discussion. We might start off by listing some examples of courage (but have more than one ready!) Beyond daring to show up, be prepared to forbear application of our ideas to politics until the meeting officially ends at 9. (You can do it!)

We'll be in back, just before the restaurant seating area.

Jeff