Virtue and Power

Relationship between virtue and power:

In both Machiavelli’s The Prince and Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C), virtue and power are implied to mean two very different things. In The Prince, “virtù” or virtue is used to mean skill, merit, talent, capability, strength of character, energy, vigor, great effort and power—with talent and skill being used most frequently. Clearly, Machiavelli thought of virtue as being much differnt than power. He used the examples of Theseus, Cyrus, Romulus, and Moses to show that they, by their “virtue”, were able to achieve their various goals, thus giving them power (The Prince, VI). Virtue then, to Machiavelli, is everything and anything that leads to power of any form.

In Doctrine and Covenants 121:41, it says “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.” Here we see that power, in this case the powers of heaven, can be used only if the wielder has the aforementioned characteristics. Here, the virtue of the priesthood could be taken to mean many different things, but one thing is certain from reading both texts: power comes as a result of having the collective meanings of the word virtue.

How power is gained and maintained:

               The way that power is maintained according to Machiavelli versus how it is maintained according to D&C 121 are completely opposite from each other. In The Prince, power is maintained in a variety of ways such as, but not limited to the following: keeping good supplies (X), avoiding the use of mercenary armies (XII), avoiding generosity (XVI), and not fighting other people’s battles (XIII). D&C 121 teaches that power is maintained “only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (verse 41). D&C 121 even goes on to condemn maintaining power through selfish means saying that “when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves” (verse 37). This is in direct contrast to Machiavelli’s teaching.

               The way that power is gained, like the way that power is maintained, in the two sources is completely opposite. In The Prince, power is gained by having good arms or armies (XII), studying war (XIV), learning how to “not be good” (XV), and manipulating through deceit (XVIII). In D&C 121, power is gained “only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;” (verse 41). The two methods for gaining power could not be more different.

It is interesting to note that while Machiavelli’s tactics may have worked in the past, they have a very short shelf life. Many of the individuals he gave as examples and used as justification for acting contrary to the commandments of God saw success that lasted only the span of their lifetimes. Many times, they were killed or their legacy died with them such as with with Pope Alexander VI. Case and point, I had not even heard of Alexander VI until reading The Prince. I should note that just because I have not heard of someone does not mean that he or she did not have success. However, much of the work Alexander VI did died with him, and very few know him today. Compare that to the work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of power and one in harmony with the principles taught in D&C 121, which continues to influence billions of people today.

What is meant by virtue?

Having examined how power is gained and maintained and how virtue and power are different, only one thing remains: what does virtue really mean? Truthfully, I do not feel that I am completely qualified to answer such a profound question. I will say this though: virtue, in both The Prince and D&C 121 seems to be any characteristic or ability that eventually leads to power. The definition of power then becomes the deciding factor for how to define virtue. Machiavelli said that many of his example princes, by their virtue, accomplished their tasks and gained political, social, and monetary power. Therefore, Machiavellian power is worldly dominance and the virtue that leads to it is the ability of man. D&C 121 says that the powers of heaven are only controlled by the principles of righteousness, or righteous virtues. D&C 121 also says that we should “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly; then shall [our] confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon [our] soul as the dews from heaven” (verse 45). The power discussed in D&C 121 is truly the power of God and so the virtue becomes the righteousness of keeping God’s commandments. 

Nothing has Changed 

Terrorism:

Terrorism like we see in the world today did not exist in ancient Rome. How could it? There was no way of mass communication, rapid transportation, or weapons of mass destruction. However, the people of ancient Rome felt a similar fear that Americans today feel when they think of terrorism. As Juvenal aptly puts it, ”There's death in every open window as you pass along . . . ; you may well be deemed a fool, improvident of sudden accident, if you go out to dinner without having made your will.” Translated into modern language, Juvenal is saying that Romans were scared to go out into public places. How scared are we today? Just look at airport security, sporting event security, security at high-profile public speeches—the list goes on. We are just as scared of attacks today as the citizens of Rome were. The only real difference between the two sources of fear is technology and a unified message of destruction.

Minimum Wage:

“In Rome, every one dresses smartly, above his means . . . “(Juvenal).

If there is one thing that manages to remain a consistent problem for civilizations, it is the issue of people spending more than they have. In the news today, we can see and read about countless law suits over small things (a TV, a computer, a lawn, etc.). Why do people care so much about things that cost so relatively little? Simply put, it is because people spend what they don’t have. When people spend what they don’t have, they are in poverty. When people are in poverty, normally unimportant possessions become very important. This is a major contributing factor in the demands for an increase in the minimum wage.

We live in a culture that expects everyone to have a smart phone, new car, giant TV, and a computer. Because of this culture, those that have the lowest-paying jobs are the ones who find themselves in the tightest bind to fit in. Of course the poor of today’s society will want and demand raises to pay for what the world expects them to have. Juvenal wrote that the people of Rome lived “in a state of pretentious poverty.” We are no different today.

Healthcare:

Everyone has something to say about the state of the healthcare system. Treatments are too expensive, health insurance companies are con artists, new health insurance laws made the situation worse—the list is endless. Perhaps we can all find solace in knowing this: the ancient Roman healthcare system was not perfect either. Juvenal wrote, "Most sick people here in Rome perish for want of sleep, the illness itself having been produced by food lying undigested on a fevered stomach. For what sleep is possible in a lodging? Who but the wealthy get sleep in Rome? There lies the root of the disorder.”

In ancient Rome, only the wealthy could afford to be healthy. The same situation exists today as healthcare prices continue to climb. Even with the creation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many people still cannot afford the costs of healthcare. The issue of affordable medical care for all people will not likely disappear. After all, it has managed to stick around for more than 2000 years.

Same-sex marriage:

Same-sex couples in ancient Rome were just as prevalent as they are today, especially considering the new legislation by the Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage. In his Second Satire, Juvenal talks about one Gracchus, “arraying himself in the flounces and train and veil of a bride” in preparation for his same-sex relationship with another man. The only difference between the majority of same-sex couples that exist today and those that existed in Rome is that it was customary for one of the men to dress as a woman during the marriage ceremony. Perhaps this ritual occurs today, but, with the majority of the same-sex couples, it does not. The Romans accepted same-sex marriage for all male couples. It appears that the United States is becoming more Roman as it continues to accept same-sex marriage. 

Illegal immigration:

 “Is a man to sign his name before me, and recline upon a couch better than mine, who has been wafted to Rome by the wind which brings us our damsons and our figs?" (Juvenal).

For Romans such as Juvenal, taking pride in being Roman was nothing short of customary. No one is surprised to read that Juvenal was upset to see people of other nationalities (in the case of this quote, Greek) have more prestige than he, a Roman. In the United States, we have a similar sentiment towards immigrants. If I may speak frankly, many white Americans feel resentment and fear towards people from countries which are synonymous with illegal immigration. Just as Juvenal felt enraged by seeing Greeks live a better life than he did, many Americans become upset if they see someone, whom they categorize as an illegal immigrant, have a better life than other Americans.

Americans and Romans even use the same justification for their anger—“I was here first.” Juvenal asks himself “Is it to go so utterly for nothing that as a babe I drank in the air of the Aventine, and was nurtured on the Sabine berry?” Americans would ask the same question, only modernized: “Don’t I work for our economy? Didn’t I fight in X war?” The same feelings of hatred and fear of outsiders that existed in Rome are very much alive in the United States today.  

5 Social Problems in America

1. Terrorism: News reports of terrorist groups in the middle east are a daily occurrence in the U.S. With the increase of the use of social media to gain support for their causes, terrorist groups have become a much larger, global threat. Many people are torn over the idea of engaging in full-scale ware or keeping a "safer" distance from the fight.

2. Minimum Wage: Minimum wage employees continue to fight for increases in their pay. Increasing the minimum wage, while good in the short run for minimum-wage workers, can ultimately lead to higher inflation and financial instability. 

3. Healthcare: With the recent initiation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of previously uninsured Americans now have health care. The problem is that many of the newly insured are in much poorer health than was anticipated, so many health insurance companies are raising their premiums. The cost of healthcare is too high, but the question of if the ACA will be effective is yet to be seen. 

4. Same-Sex Marriage: The new decision by the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage is a very heated topic. The issue of religious rights vs individual rights will continue to gain attention. Many, on both sides, fear future discrimination.

5. Illegal Immigration: The United States is home to millions of illegal immigrants. They are part of the economy and take jobs that many Americans are not willing to do. However, a slue of problems arises with having so many illegal immigrants. Arguments both for and against illegal immigration are not in short supply. 

The Scriptures, Some Greeks, and a Decision

Can anyone satisfy the increasingly contradicting demands of religious beliefs and the laws of the land? Is one influence more important than the other? Or are we all doomed to struggle for our entire lives trying to balance the two? As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church), I have pondered these questions more than once in my life. The purpose of this post is to share how I have found peace while dealing with this issue—especially in regards to the controversial issue of same-sex marriage.  To support my points, I will examine both Plato’s Crito, the Twelfth Article of Faith of the LDS Church, as well as contemporary and ancient examples of balancing religious and governmental influences.

Plato’s Crito is a conversation between the Greek philosopher Socrates and one of his students, Crito. In Crito, Socrates defends his reasoning for choosing to die and upholding the law over escaping from prison and breaking the law. Plato makes a strong argument for upholding the law when, through the mouth of Socrates, he argues that civilized human beings give themselves as “slaves” to laws and receive common comforts such as educational and professional training in exchange (Crito). As a member of the LDS Church, I believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law (Smith 61). Plato says that man should be a “slave” to the law while the Twelfth Article of Faith states that we should obey, honor and sustain the law. The two philosophies are similar, but the difference between them, while subtle, is important. The two writings differ where Plato, through Socrates, says that people give their lives to the law of the land while the Twelfth Article of Faith makes no such claim.

Many people act as if the recent ruling by the Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage is absolute, and that all people must accept and give themselves to it—or, as Plato put it, “[we] are [the law’s] child and slave as [our fathers] were before [us]”. While Plato did believe that men should give themselves to the law, he also believed, as I do, that “the opinions of some men are to be regarded and of other men are not to be regarded” (Crito). In this, Plato argues that we should give ear only to those who are experts in the subject matter. The expert in the subject matter of the moral correctness of same-sex marriage is God. Why should we listen to the inexperienced voice of the many and ignore the perfectly experienced voice of the One? (Crito) The Greeks understood this principle very clearly. Despite laws against killing fellow countrymen, Odysseus was viewed as being in the right when he killed the suitors at Ithaca because of Zeus’ law that one should not take advantage of a hospitable host (Odyssey 22.1-522). Despite defying his commanding officer, Achilles was viewed as being in the right because his honor as a demigod was disgraced by Agamemnon (Iliad 1.255-259). Oedipus was a famed king, yet even he learned the hard way that one cannot defy the will of the gods (Sophocles lines 334-385). Ancient Greek custom suggests that laws from deity supersede laws from man.

Although I do not believe in the ancient Greek gods, I do believe in a God that helps us and gives us laws by which we should live. I believe that God’s laws supersede the laws of man. God created marriage, and only God can alter it. God has said that marriage must only be between a man and a woman and those that violate it will bring upon themselves the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets (The Family 8-9). In the New Testament, Jesus taught that we should separate the things of the world from the things of God (Mark 12.17). Similarly, we should separate the divinity of marriage with the worldly effects of being married (taxes, social security, etc.). This may be difficult for those in positions that will deal with the same-sex marriage on a daily basis such as pastors and judges. They, just as the ancient Greeks and the Savior taught, must put divine law over temporal law and fulfill their duties accordingly.  Our law contains the freedom of religion. If we are to abide by it as well as the most recent Supreme Court decision, then no one should have to act contrary to their religion—including marrying same-sex couples. This may mean that judges and similar public and government employees who have strong convictions against marrying same-sex couples have to leave their jobs or fight for their own rights to practice their personal beliefs in the workplace. However, that does not mean that we should attack individuals who believe differently than what God teaches. Unlike the inexperienced voice of the many that will try to rule the moral compass of the world, God, who is perfectly experienced, will not change His laws for, as the Lord said, “my ways [are] higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55.9).

Works Cited

The Holy Bible. Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979. King James Vers. Print.

Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Stanley Lombardo. Indiana: Hackett, 2000. Print.

---.The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin, 1996. Print.

Smith, Joseph. The Pearl of Great Price. Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979. Print. 

Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Trans. J. E. Thomas. Delaware: Prestwick House, 2005. Print.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 23 Sept. 1995. Print. 

(all pictures courtesy of Google images)

Epithets

Food Enthusiast

I love food, a lot. As you can probably tell by the titles of my other epithets, I am very enthusiastic about my interests. Cooking, for me, is how I express my creativity. I am not an artist, and I am only half of a musician, but I consider myself a descent cook. My wife and I try to be as creative as possible when searching for new foods to make. In the past few weeks, we have made Swiss fondue, gyros, gumbo, cordon blue, homemade pasta noodles, Thai rice wraps, kinidliki (Czech dumplings), bread pudding, pumpkin rice pudding--all together, those foods represent eight different countries. What can I say? We like to experiment. 

BYU Sports Fanatic

Next to cooking, BYU sports are my passion. More specifically, BYU football is my passion. I have followed Cougar Football since my junior high years, and am as avid of a fan as there is. I have not missed one time of checking up on the latest BYU football news in the last nine months (Sundays excluded of course). Only 74 days left before the kickoff of the new season, but who is counting?

Movie Nut

Second only to staying up-to-date on BYU Football, staying up-to-date on the upcoming movies is my favorite pass time. I am a huge comic-book-movie nerd. I have seen every Marvel movie, many of them twice. I was so excited for the release of Age of Ultron that my wife--in pity for my sanity I am sure--made me a countdown chain for the opening day. Needless to say I loved the movie so much that I dragged my wonderful wife along twice to see it with me. Ant Man comes out on July 17th (24 days), but again, who is counting?

Lover of . . . My Family

My wife and I were married on August fifth of last year. This year has been the happiest and most fun of my life. I may sound like a solitary nut job with my BYU sports, movies, and recipe hunting, but what really makes me happiest is spending time with my wife. We love camping, watching movies (no surprise there), cooking (again, no surprise), playing games, and having fun doing absolutely nothing. My wife is my hero, not only because she puts up with me, but because she makes everyone around her feel happy. An avid blogger, she is also very exited that I started this blog for class.