In my clinical pastoral education program for chaplaincy we were asked to examine an ethical framework that resonates with our faith tradition and personal inclinations. I found myself reading through various ethical frameworks, from Consequentialism (ex: Jeremy Bentham) to Deontology (ex: Immanuel Kant) to various Pluralistic Theories (ex: WD Ross, John Kekes). After a thoughtful conversation with our Clinical Ethicist on staff, I found Virtue Ethics, which resonated well, though I don’t align with strict Aristotelian ethics, and have a slightly more pluralistic view. 

Virtue ethics is described by Aristotle in his work Nichomachean Ethics. In this framework the ideal way to make decisions about how we live is to study the virtues, which sit at the middle of corresponding vices at each extreme. Then with our gained practical wisdom, we are able to choose the path that embodies the Golden Mean of these extremes of Deficiency and Excess. Acting virtuously requires work, practice, and reflection that is gained with study and experience. This practical wisdom (phronesis (φρόνησις)) allows us to assess a situation to determine what the Golden Mean of a virtue is in a particular instance. Finally, by acting virtuously, Aristotle theorizes that we can reach Eudaimonia (εὐδαιμονία), or ‘human flourishing,’ which is not only happiness and a well-lived life for the individual, but also a state that benefits the whole of the human community. I would argue that that definition can be expanded within our spirituality, with its focus on relationships, to include benefits for the whole of the spirit world as well. 

Within ADF we have Nine Virtues that we ask our Dedicants to reflect on: wisdom, piety, vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation, and fertility. We also invite them to add any virtues that they feel are missing from this list. (I include Compassion on my personal list of virtues). Using this Virtue Ethics framework is an excellent way to examine how you interact with virtues. You can engage with study, and practice phronesis, by taking one of our virtues, determining what the Vice of Deficiency and Vice of Excess are, and then seeing where the Golden Mean of that virtue might be. We already encourage folks to think about how they engage with Virtue as a living practice by applying our virtues to situations and reflecting on the best way to act. Using Virtue Ethics provides a formal framework to do that examination and reflection, and can be a strategy we use as ADF pagans to help us make decisions about complex situations.

One of the situations I’ve been struggling with recently is when and how to make public statements as ArchDruid about current events. My reflection includes several of the virtues, and looking at them through this Virtue Ethics lens. When I think about making a statement, one of the virtues I’m engaging with is Courage. Our Own Druidry defines courage as “the ability to act appropriately in the face of adversity.” When considering this Virtue of Courage, the Vice of Deficiency is Cowardice and the Vice of Excess is Recklessness. Some of things that I think about in my practice of phronesis in relation to courage are: 

• The weight that my words will carry as the leader of an international organization. While I am from the Midwest in the United States, I need to be aware that not all our members share those demographics. It would be reckless to speak as though ADF is a monolith. 
• The feedback I’ll receive from making a statement, both from members and non-members. Anytime you take a side on something there will be people who agree and disagree with you. It would be cowardice to let those potential reactions stifle my voice. It would also be cowardice to not take a side at all. But I also consider my own personal safety and the safety of the organization, and weigh what kind of words might instead be reckless. What might jeopardize me or my family? What might jeopardize the ADF’s designation as a religious organization?

In this scenario, I’m looking for that Golden Mean: what would be the truly courageous thing to do in each instance where a statement from the ArchDruid may be warranted? And after examining Courage, I turn to other virtues as well. What would be the Wise thing to do? The Compassionate? The Hospitable? All of this is why Virtue is an active practice. I know that I don’t make the ‘right’ decision in every scenario, but I am doing my best to engage authentically with my values, and act from that place.

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