Cardinal Virtues are the fundamental virtues on which the other virtues are based. The term ‘cardinal’ is derived from the word Cardo. ‘Cardo’ means a hinge or a hook which supports the door, and on which the door turns. Cardinal virtues are defined as a group of virtues such that they cannot be derived from one another and all other virtues can be derived from them or shown to be forms of them. And you can join now also upsc prelims crash course 2022

1. CONCEPT OF CARDINAL VIRTUES
Cardinal Virtues are the fundamental virtues on which the
other virtues are based. The term ‘cardinal’ is derived from
the word Cardo. ‘Cardo’ means a hinge or a hook which
supports the door, and on which the door turns. Cardinal
virtues are defined as a group of virtues such that they cannot
be derived from one another and all other virtues can be
derived from them or shown to be forms of them. And you can
join now also upsc prelims crash course 2022
Schopenhauer regarded benevolence and justice as cardinal
virtues. The commonly recognized virtues like love, courage,
kindness, temperance, honesty and gratitude can all be
derived from cardinal virtues. Christianity has seven cardinal

2. virtues, three of these – faith, hope and charity (love) are
theological virtues. Four virtues – prudence, fortitude,
temperance and justice – are human virtues.
Plato’s theory of cardinal virtues:
 Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato identifies four “cardinal
virtues” that are necessary for a happy individual and that
are necessary for a good society.
 Plato’s Cardinal Virtues: Cardinal virtues propounded by
Plato are Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice.
1. Wisdom: Wisdom is the Virtue of the rational part of
the soul. It is an all-embracing virtue. It is moral insight
into the duties in a concrete situation and performing
them. It is practical wisdom which is implied in all
moral actions. However, in a wide sense, wisdom
should include care, foresight, prudence and
decisiveness of choice.
2. Courage: Courage is the virtue of the emotional part
of the soul. Courage is the power of resisting the fear
of pain and the temptation of pleasure. It is not the
mere facing of pain that is virtue, but the doing of
what is right in the face of pain. Courage is the special
virtue of the fighting class. In a wider sense courage
should include both valor and fortitude. Valor is active
courage, which forges ahead and braves danger and
pain. Fortitude is passive courage which endures
inevitable sufferings without wavering. Courage
should include perseverance.
3. Temperance: Temperance is the Virtue which offers
resistance to the allurements of pleasure. It is self-
restraint or self-control. It denotes the will to choose

3. the higher values and to reject the lower bodily
values. Temperance is not merely a negative virtue
engaged in repressing the appetites. Temperance
does not merely restrain passions and desires, but it
takes from reason guidance as to how far these
desires should be satisfied. Temperance demands a
reasonable moderation or a happy blending of the
domination of reason with the other tendencies of
human nature. Temperance is supremely a virtue
which gives beauty to the moral life.
4. Justice: Justice is the harmonious functioning of
intellect, emotion and desire under the guidance of
reason. Wisdom, courage, and temperance are
primarily virtues of an individual man. Justice is
primarily a virtue of a society. In a good society justice
demands that the lame man, however unworthy he is
morally or however little he is able to do physically for
the common good, should be provided with an
artificial leg. Justice is impartiality to all in the face of
personal prejudice, preference or self-interest.
The four virtues are called cardinal because they support
moral life of man in society. They are fundamental virtues.
Other virtues depend upon them and are therefore
subordinate to them.
When will your ethics book for the UPSC hit the market?
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4. written very well by Tirthankar Roychowdhary Sir. The book
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Theoretical Framework on Ethics:
The book consists all the possible relevant matters of
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2. 70 Thinkers and Thoughts of Ethics:
This book consists, the national and international thinkers
with their thoughts. These thoughts can be used in answer
writing.
3. Case Studies Practice Workbook on Ethics:
This book is compilation of 100 case studies. This is basically a
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4. A to Z- Ethics Glossary (Terminology):
The book covers all the terminologies of ethics syllabus for a
quick revision.