Wollstonecraft: Cause and Effects of Virtuous Beings
In “Vindication of the Rights of Man” by Mary Wollstonecraft, the route to virtue is through becoming self-aware and accepting of one’s self. The effects of being virtuous are characterized by the formation of meaningful relationships, being accepting to change, and understanding of how education and power should be properly integrated into one’s life.
One achieves virtue when one is able to demonstrate self-awareness and within that self-acceptances. Wollstonecraft states in the essay “the fear of risking any personal present convenience should prevent a struggle for the most estimable advantages.” A person who is not yet virtuous is afraid to take a chance and do what they know is right for
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Scared of the outcomes so therefor avoids the opportunity for growth all together. This quote expands on the idea that one who is virtuous is confident in who they are so therefor confident in their choices. They don’t mind taking the risk of making decisions based on personal beliefs because it may produce satisfying results and if it doesn’t then it could possibly be a great learning opportunity. Wollstonecraft develops on this idea by writing “…supinely exist without exercising mind or body, they have ceased to be men.” Some who has yet to achieve virtue may be unware of what they truly want as men so they just exist instead of actually living. Unlike a virtuous being, they have yet to learn and accept their belief and morals, in result they just follow the crowd and do as other. They don’t use their heart, mind, and soul to make decisions because of they are unware of what they actually stand for as humans. She notes in the essay that “…there are rights which men inherit at their birth […] not from their forefathers but, from God, prescription can never undermine natural