We misuse the word "virtue" [And "vice"]

<p>We misuse the word "virtue" [And "vice"]</p> <p><br></p> <p>We're on a mission to help one million people RISE by 2030 - join the movement at <a href="http://www.myrise.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.myrise.co.uk</a></p> <p><br></p> <p>What do you think when you hear the word ‘vice’?</p> <p>Unless you’re thinking about GCSE woodwork, you probably think of things like drinking, smoking, gambling, taking drugs, eating excessively, etc.</p> <p>And there’s maybe an element of “the fun stuff”.</p> <p>Perhaps a little wry smile and sideways look?</p> <p>Things you “know you shouldn’t do”………</p> <p>But enjoy nonetheless.</p> <p>What about ‘virtue’?</p> <p>Not doing fun stuff?</p> <p>A bit boring?</p> <p>Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle define virtue as “the ways of behaving that are most conducive to happiness in life”.</p> <p>And ‘vices’ as “the ways of behaving that are least conducive to happiness”.</p> <p>What we think of as vices usually give us an amount of short term pleasure.</p> <p>Temporarily change our state.</p> <p>How we feel.</p> <p>And if they contribute towards us, overall, being happier, then that’s awesome.</p> <p>If they lead to that ‘net loss’……….</p> <p>If they make us feel a bit better for a number of minutes or a few hours per week………</p> <p>But cause us to feel worse for the rest of the other 160 odd hours in the week……..</p> <p>Could that mean we could stop and reflect on how we see those things?</p> <p>Do they make us happy?</p> <p>Or are they doing the exact opposite?</p> <p>I stopped drinking two years ago (after 20 years of drinking more than the recommended amount)……….</p> <p>When I realised I was happier and more relaxed across the 10,080 minutes in the week……..</p> <p>When I wasn’t drinking than when I was.</p> <p>Despite all the challenges it threw at me (and there were a lot), I would say I was more relaxed in 2020 than any previous year.</p> <p>Doesn’t mean anyone else has to do the same, of course.</p> <p>But could we question how we see virtue and vice?</p> <p>Inste