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Civic Virtues
Is there no virtue among us?
If there be not, we are in a
wretched situation. No
theoretical checks, no form of
government, can render us
secure. To suppose that any
form of government will
secure liberty or happiness
without any virtue in the
people is a chimerical idea.
James Madison
• Perseverance
• Courage
• Responsibility
• Initiative
• Integrity
• Respect
• Justice
• Moderation
Civitas – Latin for ‘civilized
Virtus – Latin for ‘moral’ or ‘good’
Roots of Civic Virtue
Ancient philosophers held civic virtue
as the single greatest determinant of
the success of democratic
governments.
What is Civic Virtue?


The willingness to do one's part in
supporting the public good.
The willingness to do one’s part to
combat corruption.
What is corruption?


The use of one’s position, power,
knowledge, and/or influence to promote
one’s individual desires over the good of
the public good.
In order for corruption to exist the
following must also exist:
The bias/corruption must be intentional
 An advantage must be gained for the individual
who has violated the public good

Role of American Civic
Virtues

The civic virtues of the citizens of The
United States share a common
purpose -- to decrease the likelihood
that American citizens will choose
corrupt means to achieve success.
Types of Corruption
– Moral corruption

Murder, dishonesty, breaking a vow
– Political corruption

Ignoring a conflict of interest, genocide,
accepting bribes
– Economic corruption

Insider trading, fixing the books,
– Legal/Judicial Corruption

Racial supremacy, ignoring a conflict of
interest, breaking an established law
Why is Civic Virtue
Important?
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When a society exists that prioritizes
individual freedom of choice over
government control of its citizens, then
CV is essential.
In such societies CV replaces the
dictatorial methods of totalitarian
governments/societies.
In such societies CV controls people’s
behavior instead of the government
controlling people’s behavior.
Who is responsible?

Who is responsible for imparting a societies
civic virtues to its citizenry?

In the early years of this country this responsibility was
given by men to women at the end of the American
Revolution.
 Men believed they needed to give women role
in the success of the new country in the 1700s
and early 1800s it was believed that women
were naturally more virtuous then men.
 Men chose a role for women that would allow
women to remain in the “private sphere” or
the home.
 Why do you think so many elementary
school teachers are women?
President John Adams Quote
“The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Dutch, all
lost their public spirit, their republican principles and
habits, and their republican forms of government
when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of
their women. The foundations of national morality
must be laid in private families. In vain are schools,
academies, and universities instituted, if loose
principles and licentious habits are impressed upon
children in their earliest years. The mothers are the
earliest and most important instructors of youth.
Letter from Mary Morris to Catherine
Livingston (1780)
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“Since liberty is never sure until virtue
reigns triumphant the stability of the
liberties of this country rests with you.”
“It rests with us women to make this retreat
from the corruptions of Europe peaceful and
happy by banishing from it those crimes and
corruptions, which have never yet failed to
give rise to tyranny or anarchy. While you
thus keep our country virtuous, you
maintain its independence.”
A.J. Graves Quote

(1814)
“Home is her appropriate sphere of action;
and that whenever she neglects these
duties, or goes out of this sphere she is
deserting the station God and nature have
assigned her – to train up good citizens.”
Discourse on Female Influence –
Jonathan Stearns (1820)
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“Ladies, it is for you to decide if we shall
be a nation of refined and high minded
Christians, or whether, rejecting the
civilities of life, and throwing off the
restraints of morality and piety, we shall
become a fierce race of semi-barbarians,
before whom neither order, nor honor, nor
chastity can stand.”
The Civic Virtues
Responsibility

The ability to choose for oneself
between right and wrong; the ability
to answer for one’s conduct and
obligations.
Initiative

Independent of outside influence or
control; and introductory step; energy
and aptitude displayed in initiation of
action.
Integrity

Adherence to moral and ethical
principles; soundness of moral
character; firm adherence to a code
“Always do right - this will gratify some
and astonish the rest.” - Mark Twain
Respect

An act of giving particular attention, to
hold in high or special regard, to honor
or hold in high esteem.
Justice

The quality of being
impartial or fair; the
administration of
equitable law.
Lady Justice
Justice

“Justice is the end of government, it is
the end of civil society.”
– James Madison, 4th President of the USA
Moderation

The quality of being moderate;
avoidance of extremes or excesses;
restraint
Moderation
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“If one oversteps the bounds of moderation,
the greatest pleasures cease to please.” Epictetus, Greek Philosopher
Moderation in temper is always a virtue, but
moderation in principle is always a vice.” Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Perseverance

The act, condition, or instance of
persevering; to persist in an
undertaking despite opposition or
discouragement.
Courage

Mental or moral strength to venture,
persevere, and withstand danger, fear,
or difficulty.
Which virtue is addressed
in each quote?

“Treat your fellow human being fairly,
disagree with them honestly, enjoy
their friendship, explore your thoughts
about one another candidly, work
together for a common goal and help
one another achieve it. No destructive
lies, no ridiculous fears, no debilitating
anger.” -- Bill Bradley (Prof. Basketball player
and US Senator)
Name the virtue. . .

“It is the sign of a great mind to
dislike greatness, and prefer things in
measure to things in excess.” – Seneca,
Roman Philosopher & Politician

“You gain strength and confidence
with every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady
--
Name that virtue . . .
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“The consciousness of having
discharged that duty which we owe to
our country is superior to all other
considerations.” -- George Washington, First
President of USA
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“Inspiration arrives as a packet of
material to be delivered.” – John Updike,
author & Pulitzer Prize winner
Fulfilling the Purpose

Review: the common purpose of ALL
civic virtues is: to decrease the
likelihood that American citizens will
choose corrupt means to achieve
success.
So let’s take a look at how each of the
civic virtues we identified aids in
fulfilling this purpose.
Responsibility

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Review: When a society exists that prioritizes
individual freedom of choice over government
control of its citizens then CVs control people’s
behavior instead of the government controlling
people’s behavior.
Fulfilled: When one is willing and able to
accept responsibility for one’s actions then
accountability/responsibility become tools
that assist individuals in controlling their
actions and allow the government to remain
absent from such individual/societal control.
Initiative

Fulfilled: When an individual steps up
to take action on what he/she believes
is right, despite outside influence that
individual displays the willingness to
expose corruption – even when the
masses are not willing to do so.
Integrity
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Fulfilled: By adhering to a moral or
ethical code an individual shows that
he/she is capable of controlling
his/her actions and of making ethical
choices.
This person does what is right simply
because it is the right thing to do and
does not need outside incentives in
order to do so, allowing the
government to limit interference in our
lives. How?
Government incentives for
making lawful choices:

Most often the government provides
incentive in the form of negative
consequences. You choose to do what
is right in order to avoid the
consequence of choosing what is
wrong.

Speeding tickets, fines, public service, etc.
Can you imagine living in
a country where . . .
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disobeying your parents was against
the law?
Lying was against the law?
People served jail time for creating a
policy that many viewed as unfair?
the government publicly punished
people who committed adultery?
Respect
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Fulfilled: Since we all want to be
respected it motivates us to act in a
manner that will command the respect
of others.
Our desire to be respected influences
our decisions.
Justice
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Fulfilled: Making decisions and
forming opinions that are fair and
unbiased is a means of gaining
respect.
What you may desire as an individual
may not be what is fair for the larger
group – thus your desire to be just will
guide you away from corrupt
decisions.
Moderation
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Fulfilled: If Americans prioritized and
valued all things in excess it would
lead to selfish decisions and would
limit an individuals desire to sacrifice
for the greater good.
Practicing moderation develops a
selfless character that is less likely to
choose his/her own desires over the
good of the group.
Perseverance
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Fulfilled: If all individuals persevered
toward success instead of taking the
easy way out, then fewer unethical
decisions would be made.
Through perseverance we learn to
work for what we have and not steal it
from others.
Courage

Fulfilled: Like initiative, courage is
essential to the ability of a society to
stand up against corruption even
when it is not easy. Those who take
initiative also possess the courage to
do so.
Why do the following
choices disappoint us?
Civic Virtues in action
Professional baseball
players choosing to use
steroids.
Why will Pete Rose never be
put into the Hall of Fame?
Why was President Clinton
impeached for having an affair?
Why do Americans care if
Tiger Woods cheats on his
wife?
Why do politicians think they can
win votes by touting their humble
beginnings?
Senator Joe Biden Chosen as VP
Candidate – Why?
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Obama stressed those roots, introducing 65year-old Biden as "still that scrappy kid from
Scranton who beat the odds.“ He noted
hardships in Biden's life, including the deaths of
Biden's first wife and infant daughter in a 1972
car wreck and his struggle to overcome a brain
aneurysm in 1988. iReporters ask if Biden was
really the best choice. "That's the kind of
fighter I want by my side in the months and
years to come," Obama said.
– CNN.com (August 2008)
Smoking Bans
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Why have government imposed
smoking bans been successfully
passed in so many states?
Given the health concerns related to
smoking and second-hand smoke,
what is lacking among a majority of
smokers that has led many state
governments to pass such bans?
States in white have enacted statewide smoking
bans in all public places.