Thread by @shrikanth_krish

Came across this distinction between two types of virtue in Aristotle (through Harvey Mansfield)

Intellectual virtues: Open-mindedness, rigor, inquisitiveness, skepticism

Moral virtues: Courage, kindness, abstinence, temperance, honesty

Intellectual virtues are typically taught, imbibed through scholastic instruction

Moral virtues are habituated in us, in part through nature, and in part through early upbringing in family

Modernity greatly privileges intellectual virtues
Underplays moral virtues

The old world privileged moral virtues a great deal
Underplayed intellectual virtues

A world that privileges intellectual virtue and ignores moral virtue is one that emphasizes competence, but underrates the need for character

The sort of society that can generate 6% growth rate, but can also produce an Enron, or a Bernie Madoff

A world that privileges moral virtue very highly but downplays intellectual virtue is one that is stagnant, but stable and robust

The social order envisioned in say the Dharmashastra texts in India is one that fits this description

"Modernity" is all about downplaying moral virtue and greatly emphasizing intellectual virtues

The old world where religion played a much larger role in life, was one where moral virtues were underlined. Intellectual virtues not as much

Merit was secondary. Character primary

One way to understand this better is to examine the attitude towards "choices"

Modernity welcomes "choice" - it provides options. Room for human reason to exercise itself

The old world is ambivalent about "choice" - Because choices can tempt us. Cause our downfall