Why Be Virtuous?

[smoothmoniker]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Most of the unlikeable people in power got there via unscrupulous means and they're still in power because everyone else is too 'virtuous' to take them down.

If virtue is nothing more than a tool for social power, then we should admire and emulate those who are "unscrupulous" and powerful, since they were able to achieve the beneficial outcome (power) without the personal constraint (virtue).

If it's true that social power is the only real benefit of virtue, then the powerful and immoral person has the most praiseworthy life.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by smoothmoniker

If virtue is nothing more than a tool for social power, then we should admire and emulate those who are "unscrupulous" and powerful, since they were able to achieve the beneficial outcome (power) without the personal constraint (virtue).

If it's true that social power is the only real benefit of virtue, then the powerful and immoral person has the most praiseworthy life.

A "side effect" of virtue is power. It's the virtue that should be admired. And the power is a "leading by example" type of power, not a "pushing people around" type of power. Power in and of itself is not necessarily admirable, and power through fear or intimidation is despicable.