My favorite virtue

If my kids grow up with this mindset — I’ll come to it in a second — I will have considered my parenthood accomplished.

I’m not talking about the trivial virtues that are — in general — accepted by most humans. They are the ones that help us co-exist in peace; perhaps they can be characterized as not being evil. Don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t hurt, don’t betray, and so on.

Let me get straight to it.

Accepting behaviors and opinions that are different from one’s own.

No matter the strength of one’s opinions, no matter the conviction that one’s values are the most ethical and justifiable, there is no — there can be no — exclusivity to being “right”. Technically and legally there isn’t. We’re born into a world that’s full of ambiguity. There is no handbook — like there is for, say, driving — for values, views, and political opinions. There is no exam either for being right and virtuous. One of my kids just had his driving theory test, hence the analogy!

Sure, it’s fine to have strong opinions and principles. But how are you going to promote them? By raising your voice? By convincing yourself or others that you are better than the rest? By shutting the door at anyone who doesn’t share your values? By insulting? By punishing the ones with opposing values (let’s say you can)

There is zero chance of any of these methods working. Some might temporarily, but they won’t be sustainable.