Vices and Virtues
Being human, we all have our share of vices and virtues. Seeing shortcomings in others is usually easy, but learning to recognize bad behavior in yourself is the first step to transforming those vices into virtues. Sometimes, the difference between a virtue and vice is a very fine line, and what may be a vice in some situations may be a virtue in others. For example, being always suspicious of others may be considered a vice; being suspicious of someone who offers you something for nothing is probably warranted—otherwise add gullible and naïve to your list of vices.
There are two Excel (spreadsheet) files associated with this exercise. Pick either list (Vices.xlsx or Virtues.xlsx) and score yourself on each of the 153 traits listed. Afterward, look at the top of the spreadsheet to see your “score”. You do not need to share either list with anyone, but, if you are curious as to how others who know you would rate you, you can ask them to score you. Friends are generally biased, so expect that your virtues scores may be higher than you rated yourself, but sometimes the vices scores can be revealing.
What do the scores imply? Really nothing—they are merely measures of where you see yourself at a particular point in time. However, if you have a very low score on vices (less than 25), or if you have a very high score on virtues (over 300), you are probably deluding yourself. Similarly, if you have a high score on vices and low score on virtues, you may need to have a visit with your psychoanalyst.
The listings are certainly not exhaustive—you may identify other vices or virtues to add to the list or share with classmates. Some really big vices have been deliberately left off the list—such as alcohol or drug dependency. Dealing with those may require outside help. Most smokers similarly acknowledge that this is an expensive and obnoxious habit, which in these times is certainly detrimental in seeking a professional position. Job applicants who stop for a cigarette break before going to a job interview are not going to be able to hide that fact.
You may also decide that some terms on either list belong on the other—maybe being curious is not a virtue but a vice. Depending upon your viewpoint, you may decide, for example, that openness is not a virtue but an indication of weakness, or that playfulness is not a virtue in a professional setting.
In any case, we hope that your virtues score will exceed that for vices—probably on the order of two to one. That makes you normal. However, look at your high scores on individual vices and ask yourself what you can do to betteryourself. Look at your low scores on virtues and ask if these are areas in which you wish to improve, then set goals for yourself. Periodically, re-evaluate yourself and record the changes that you perceive. Also, write yourself a document or letter in which you identify areas where you would like to see change and map out a plan for making those changes in your life. Identify specifics that you can undertake during this semester, this school year, this calendar year, etc.—set a timetable for changes you wish to make.
Next, go to Ethical Dilemmas and complete that assignment.