Jan11

virtue.

Posted on by
Standard

This letter from Charles in response to a 5th grade student who had written to him as a class assignment to ask, “What Makes a Good Citizen?’

The student, Joel, still has this letter framed at his home,

and the link to the story is below:

https://www.kqed.org/arts/13852729/charles-schulzs-letter-about-democracy-discovered-50-years-later

—

Another take on virtue:

Moral beauty can be summarized in one word: virtue. The moral virtues include love, justice/fairness, compassion, wisdom, kindness, honesty, courage, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, etc. It is the enactment of such virtues, the display of them in behavior, which comprises moral beauty. Moral goodness can be noticed through cool cognition, but moral beauty is perceived by a warm heart. Noticing moral goodness may not motivate a human toward prosocial action; but the perception of moral beauty is highly motivating and often leads to prosocial and altruistic behavior. Engagement with moral beauty is the cause of many self-transcendent emotions, but in particular it is cause of the moral emotion of elevation.

-Rhett Diessner, Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies

—

image credit: Charles Schulz, American Cartoonist/Author, Peanuts 

 

Discover more from I didn't have my glasses on....

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

52 responses »

  3. Most of us are familiar with or could name those virtues … if pressed. But I’m thinking of taking each one and wondering if I am actually practicing such with family, friends or strangers. Knowing is a little different than doing. Your examples, quotes etc usually if not always bring some thought to the surface of what is left of my forgetful gray cells.
    I just noticed the date of the letter. 1970 The quest continues.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  4. Oh the power of a letter in the mail. I can only surmise that this letter is in response to a letter to Charles Schulz and possibly from young person. This would have been framed and a reminder that we all have a duty to be better every day and follow our conscience. Would love to know the background to the letter. Peace.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  9. As a lifelong Peanuts fan, I love the time that Schulz took to type out thoughtful responses to his readers. I remember the ones he wrote in response to criticism about introducing Franklin, the black character, and now this one is also a wise response. And one that stands the test of time.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  12. What a treasure that letter is. But as I read I couldn’t help thinking … it all depends on whose definitions of “beauty,” “virtue,” “goodness,” etc., are in play. “Universal” values no longer seem quite universal.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  18. History repeats itself. There is a small regional airport four hours to the south of us in Santa Rosa called the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. He lived in Santa Rosa for over 30 years.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  19. Pingback: Ingravescent Hot Links – Tacky Raccoons

  20. The very segment of the political composition that screams that the other side is a threat to democracy spreads misinformation, disinformation, obfuscates free speech, makes endless criminal accusations, and seeks to prohibit truth and ideas from being published on social media.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  22. This is so delightful and timely, Beth. I’m engaged in a discussion on my blog right now about the nature of democracy.

    So glad you discovered me, leading me here. I can see there are years of riches to explore.

    Cheers,
    Annie

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  25. Pingback: Bajor for Bajorans!* | Memo Of The Air

Leave a reply to Jim Stewart Cancel reply