Who is Virtuous: Moral Excellence, Righteousness and Virtue

The question, "Who is virtuous?" suggests that there is actually someone who might be virtuous. In reality, all human beings have been and always will be created equal, and must be considered as such. Humankind has been created with the potential to have virtue, or to demonstrate the moral excellence that constitutes virtue.

In order to weigh or measure virtue, one might consider the use of a continuum. On one end of it, there would be perfect virtue and on the other end, would be imperfect virtue. Perfect virtue could be considered as righteousness. Righteousness could also be placed on a continuum with positive righteousness, on one end of the continuum and negative righteousness on the other end of the continuum. There is righteousness, that is true righteousness and there is righteousness that is not true righteousness. It could be referred to as pseudo-righteousness.

True righteousness would have to entail some aspect of the divine, while not-true righteousness would be considered to be on a human plane. Obviously, the divinity of human beings in general, is questionable and thus they would have to be placed on the side of the not-true righteousness. Only the divine could be on the side of the true righteous. Even on the side of the not-true righteousness, there is the possibility of a continuum that can be used to weigh or measure the not-true righteousness.

"What is the criterion of judgment?"

How should one differentiate between the two poles, on the side of the not-true righteousness? Is it to be based on words, deeds or actions? Maybe it should be based upon how much money a person has, or gives away, but maybe not.

"How does one move from one side to the other?"

In other words, can one move from the positive end of the not-true righteousness, to the negative side of the not-true righteousness.

"Is it possible to move the other direction, as well?"

Can a person be redeemed from the negative side of the not-true righteous and move to the positive side of the not-true righteous? Even if that was possible, they still would not be on the side of the not-true righteous. In humility, each one of us must confess the reality that at best, our words, deeds and actions, all fall far short of divine righteousness. Divine righteousness would be true virtue.

The only real conclusion that we can draw from this kind of an analysis is the fact that no one is virtuous apart from the Divine, however one perceives the Divine. 

There is the possibility of attaining a degree of virtue. Virtue is a high ideal that we can strive for as human beings. It is not something that we can accomplish totally on our own. We can try to be righteous, but at best, we will all fall short of perfect virtue.

When we weigh and measure the virtue of others, we need to be aware that our measurements are based upon our human perception, rather than divine perception. What we consider to be virtue might not be virtue at all to someone else. Judging others, can place us in a position where our own virtue becomes questionable, at best.

We should strive for a high degree of moral excellence, righteousness and virtue. It is right for us to do that. Setting the highest ideals that we possibly can is always wise, even though we may fall short. When we are humble enough to recognize that true virtue requires divine intervention, then we also know how to attain true virtue. Virtue that is not virtue at all, can appear to be virtue, until it is unmasked and the truth about virtue is revealed. 

No one is virtuous until there is divine intervention. Divine intervention can be sought by those seeking virtue. Seek virtue and you will find it.