Abstract
Many eighteenth-century philosophers, such as Thomas Reid, Francis Hutcheson, and Henry Home, regard courage as both a virtue and a passion worthy of the highest esteem, so long as it involves rational thought prevailing over adversity and inordinate passions for wealth, pleasure, and power. These principles guide brave men who fulfil their duty and serve God and country in times of war. Edmund Burke places martial fortitude, justice, and faith-based wisdom above the ethics of gentleness and compassion. George Turnbull aims rather for a good balance between masculine and feminine dispositions, again from a Christian perspective. Similarly, Baruch Spinoza and David Fordyce recommend a healthy mix of animositas and generositas, with a touch of humility before God, who grants fortitude to whomever he chooses.
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References
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Chevalier, J.M. (2023). The Natural and Rational Duty to God and Country. In: The Ethics of Courage. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32743-8_6
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