Devotion

Stephanie Bellofiore

Professor Rex Gilliland

Philosophy 100/24N

September 15, 2014

The Purpose of Devotion

A virtue can be described as a quality or trait in society that is morally correct.  Sometimes it is hard for people to agree on what traits or qualities should be considered virtuous.  However, one trait that should not be argued whether or not to be considered virtuous, is the trait of devotion.

            Devotion is a deep commitment to something. It can be a person’s life purpose.  They have a great amount of love and loyalty to a specific person, activity, or cause. In today’s society, many people lack the virtue of devotion. They do not have true love for one another resulting in failed marriages and relationships. Without true love, it is hard to remain loyal to one another. That is why so many people cheat and have a lack of respect towards others.  If all people in society carried the trait of devotion, they would love with their whole hearts and remain loyal with each other through any obstacles that came their way. The world would see less hate and more love.

All people should develop this character trait. It is essential in a productive society. A person must be devoted to his or her job in order to make a decent living, and afford a house to live in. A student needs to be devoted to his or her school work in order to graduate. A husband or wife must be devoted to his or her partner for a marriage to withstand. Last, many religious people feel the need to be devoted to their God to move on from this life to the next. 

Devotion is always morally correct. How could love, loyalty, and a deep commitment to something ever be viewed as wrong? Devotion should lead a person to always making the right decisions.  Devotion will allow a person to put their family members before themselves, to be honest and true with one another, and to never give up on what they believe.

1.      All acts of devotion are virtuous.

2.      All acts of love are acts of devotion.

3.      Therefore, all acts of love are virtuous. 

Love and loyalty form the essential makeup of devotion. Devotion, is and always will be a virtue that is needed in society.