Fortitude - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Fortitude, or courage—more than mere fearlessness, it is the strength to confront adversity, pain, or threat, not in its absence, but despite its overwhelming presence. Is it simply a stiff upper lip, an unyielding resolve, or something deeper?
The concept of fortitude stretches back to antiquity, deeply intertwined with the "great ideas" of philosophy and ethics. Roman philosopher Cicero, in De Officiis (44 B.C.E.), elucidates fortitude not as recklessness, but as judicious action rooted in reason. Before the concept of "moral luck", these men sought to find a way to be virtuous in every situation. We find iterations of its import in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, where courage stands as a golden mean between cowardice and recklessness. Figures like Socrates, exemplified fortitude by facing death with unwavering conviction, embodying "existentialism" before its formal articulation. These icons' lives became the canvas upon which the concept of fortitude was etched, their stories becoming powerful "intuition pumps" for generations grappling with "moral dilemmas" like the "trolley problem" or complex questions of "justice theory."
Throughout history, fortitude's meaning has shifted. The stoics equated it with inner resilience, accepting what they could not control. Medieval Christianity integrated fortitude as one of the four cardinal virtues, emphasizing endurance in the face of temptation and steadfastness in faith. The Age of Enlightenment re-examined its relation to reason and societal "moral obligation;" the "categorical imperative" proposed by Kant emphasized rational action above irrational sentiment when it comes to fortitude. The twentieth-century existentialists such as Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre presented alternative forms, emphasizing individual responsibility and meaning amidst the "existential crisis" of an absurd world. Consider the enigma of a soldier refusing to yield under torture versus a whistleblower exposing corporate malfeasance—both display fortitude, yet their motivations and societal impacts differ significantly. This variation raises questions about whether cultural judgment clouds the pure virtue of courageousness.
Today, fortitude resonates profoundly whether in discussions surrounding "social responsibility," "ethics in AI", or personal struggles for "integrity." It is celebrated in popular culture and leadership training, yet the line blurs with stubbornness or reckless bravado. As societal complexities surge, so too does humanity’s need to redefine this timeless virtue. Is true fortitude an inherent trait, a learned skill, or a response shaped by circumstance? More importantly, in an era dominated by moral relativism, is fortitude an objective or subjective virtue?