“Virtue Is More To Be Feared Than Vice Because Its Excesses Are Not Subject To The Regulation Of Conscience. 125 Marks”

Structure of the Essay:

Introduction:

You can start the introduction through following ways:

• Start with a general introduction/an anecdote/an example/a short story/a poem/ etc. about Virtue and its importance.
• Define Virtue, Vice and Conscience through various philosophical theories and quotes from philosophers.

Thesis Statement:

• It is a transition statement between introduction and body of the essay.
• In thesis statement, you should write outline of the body with your own arguments. You should prove these arguments in body of the essay with relevant examples.

Body of the essay:

• Discuss the Virtues which people need in their day-to-day life
  • Example: Nonviolence, Honesty etc
• Discuss the vices people have
  • Examples: Dishonesty, Intoxication etc
• Explain why people try to find with vices rather than virtues
  • Quicker resolution
  • Can make an enemy fearful in the short term.
  • Achievement of personal goals – power, money etc
• Explain how virtue is not subjected to conscience. Quote examples (examples help in explaining)

• • Example – Charity is a virtuous act. Individual conscience promotes the act of helping others. The extreme of charity (as it has no subjection to individual conscience) can make one poor.
  • Social Conscience promotes Virtues.
• Explain why virtue is more to be feared than vice?
  • Gives self-belief and immense strength.
    • Example: Mahatma Gandhi fought for Freedom of India with virtues such as non-violence, truth etc and because his conscience was clear he was able to fight British strongly.
  • Help people relate with your cause.
    • Example: Mass of India related to the methods of Gandhi because they don’t want to do violence against their conscience.
  • Makes the enemy doubt their own conscience.
  • Sustainable achievement of goals. Etc
  • Open doors for peaceful coexistence, democracy and peace.
• Explain how such virtues can be developed.
  • Value education from early childhood.
  • Role of family, school and peers.
  • Incentivizing virtues deeds and punishing vices.
  • Modeling oneself on any virtues role model. etc

Conclusion:

• Conclude with an optimistic attitude towards Virtues but also mention how an excess of virtues, due to no subjugation to conscience, can be detrimental