Courage

Courage is the choice and willingness to face agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. It can be called bravery or valour, especially in battle. There are two main types of courage: physical courage, which is bravery when facing physical pain, hardship, or even the threat of death, and moral courage, which is the ability to act rightly even when others oppose you, or when you might feel shame, scandal, discouragement, or loss.

Courage has been an important idea for a long time. In the Western tradition, thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and Kierkegaard have shared their thoughts on courage. In the Hindu tradition, stories and myths also show examples of both physical and moral courage. The Chinese text Tao Te Ching also offers many ideas about courage, covering both kinds. Courage is a classical virtue known as fortitude, which also includes perseverance and patience.

Characteristics of courage

Professor Daniel Putman says that courage means choosing to do something hard or scary because it is the right thing to do. He explains that fear and confidence are closely linked to courage. Fear tells us that something might be dangerous, while confidence helps us believe we can handle it. The best kind of courage happens when we understand the real danger, believe in what we are doing, and use our skills to face our fears.

Putman also talks about how courage can go wrong in four ways. Too much fear and not enough confidence can make someone seem scared. Too little fear and too much confidence can make someone seem careless. Sometimes, people feel too much fear but act very confidently to hide their worries. Finally, too little fear and not enough confidence can make someone feel hopeless. True courage means facing challenges even when we are afraid.

Theories

Ancient Greece

Plato talked about courage in his book Laches, but couldn't decide what it really means. He gave many ideas about courage, like being willing to stay and fight, or having strength in your heart, but in the end, he didn't settle on one definition.

In another book, The Republic, Plato said courage is about keeping strong beliefs, even when you feel scared or happy.

Aristotle thought courage was important for soldiers fighting for good reasons. He believed courage was a balance between being too scared and being too risky.

Ancient Rome

In the Roman Empire, courage was part of being a good person. The philosopher Cicero said being courageous meant having a strong spirit, but it was best when combined with wisdom.

Plato, Musei Capitolini

Western traditions

Ambrose, an early Christian thinker, said that true courage needed to be balanced with fairness. He believed that being strong without being fair could lead to hurting others.

Eastern traditions

In ancient China, the Tao Te Ching taught that courage comes from love. In Hindu beliefs, courage and patience were important parts of living a good life. Islamic teachings also valued courage and self-control, especially in facing difficulties.

Modern

In more recent times, thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and David Hume looked at courage as a personal strength that helps people survive and feel proud.

Søren Kierkegaard and Paul Tillich thought courage was about facing deep fears and uncertainties. J.R.R. Tolkien saw courage as doing the right thing even when you know you might fail. Ernest Hemingway simply said courage was "grace under pressure."

Researchers today try to understand courage by asking people what it means to them. They found that courage often involves doing something important even when you're scared and it might be dangerous.

Society and symbolism

One symbol often linked with courage is the lion.

Fortitude

Fortitude and courage are different. Fortitude is the mental or emotional strength that helps someone face tough times with patience and endurance. Courage is about taking action when facing danger, while fortitude is about enduring pain or hardship without giving up.

According to a theologian named William Swan Plumer, courage is for taking action, and fortitude is for suffering through difficulties. Thomas Aquinas, a well-known thinker, placed fortitude as an important virtue, ranking it third after prudence and justice. In some religious traditions, fortitude is also seen as one of the important gifts from the Holy Spirit.