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Virtues Part IV: Modern Secular Virtues & What Are Not Virtues

Writer: Missy Duncan PhD
Missy Duncan PhD
Sep 8
6 min read

“To live a life of virtue, match up your thoughts, words, and deeds” (from Greek Stoic philosopher 50 - 135 CE, Epictetus)


“Happiness is a virtue, not its reward” ( from Dutch philosopher of the 1600s, Baruch Spinoza).   


Some people claim that their morality, values, and virtues come from their religion. For example, “Christians will often tell you that their morality comes from their religion (or from their parents’ version of it). And if you ask them about what their religion tells them about what’s right and wrong, it will likely line up with their own ideas of right and wrong. But the causal link is not as clear as it first appears” (https://theconversation.com/religion-does-not-determine-your-morality-97895).  While this is a declaration of truth by religious people, it is not universally true.      


The two quotes mentioned above are proof that virtues don’t derive from religion for everyone.  For many people, virtues, morals, and values develop and are maintained independently of religion.  Secular virtuous frameworks found in humanism, that focuses on human well-being and ethical living, and consequentialism, that judges actions based on their results, show us that virtuous behavior can be led by clear reasoning and being aware of the consequences of actions rather than on religious traditions, rules, or dogma.


In addition to the Four Cardinal Virtues of Stoic philosophy which I discussed in Parts I-III of this blog series on virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance - modern secular ethics draw from humanism and positive psychology.  Here are some commonly identified secular virtues:


What do some people consider ‘virtues’ that are not virtuous?

  • Loyalty: This is a tricky one because, at first, this looks like a positive virtue.  Here are some synonyms of ‘loyalty’: “ allegiance, firmness, fealty [loyalty, especially to a king or queen]” (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/thesaurus/loyalty# ). Blind loyalty, however is a problem. Dr. Noam Shpancer, in his article “Eyes Wide Shut: The Temptation of Blind Loyalty” points out that, “We are herd animals, and conforming with the group provides safety and security, but at high levels, conformity becomes blind loyalty - a powerful and dangerous phenomenon.  [In addition, we]  are ambivalent about blind loyalty as we recognize both its power and destructive potential. Marveling at his supporters’ enthusiasm during his 2016 election campaign, Donald Trump once proclaimed, ‘I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters.’ Trump’s assertion acknowledged a consequential feature of the human psyche: At high levels, the soothing light of conformity becomes blinding. Thought experiment: Would you want supporters who would back you even if you murdered someone? This is a tricky question to answer because we all crave unconditional support on some level. Receiving others’ blind loyalty makes us feel safer (I will not be deserted) and more powerful (my people will do anything for me). We know, too, how blindly loyal followers can exert real power in the world, as those who lack doubt, restraint, or reflection can charge as one, fast, and with full force” (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-therapy/202504/eyes-wide-shut-the-temptation-of-blind-loyalty).

  • Agreeability:  According to Joshua Fields Milburn, of The Minimalists shares, “Most of us wish to be in harmony with the people we love. It seems the quickest route to this harmony is to agree with others as frequently as possible. Yet this impulse is misguided. If we placate people, it’s not only dishonest—it closes the door to individuality. It is possible, however, to disagree with someone tactfully, while keeping their point of view in mind” (https://www.theminimalists.com/virtues/).

  • Sentimentality: The Greek philosopher Zeno [pre-Socratic & founder of Stoicism] believed that people were designed to be reasonable, but he also recognized that we are human beings, and human beings are propelled by emotion (https://www.theminimalists.com/virtues/ ). This faux-virtue is evident in the misguided political movement, “Make America Great Again.”  It’s not virtuous to desire going backward into a time when the country wasn’t great for everyone. According to counselor Jeff Helms, “Being sentimental can have both positive and negative aspects. While being sentimental can help us cherish memories, foster emotional connections, and appreciate the little things in life, it can also lead to certain dangers. When taken to extremes, sentimentality can cloud our judgment, making it difficult to make rational decisions. It can also hold us back from moving forward, as we may become stuck in the past or overly attached to particular people or things. Additionally, overly sentimental people may find it challenging to cope with change and adapt to new situations” (https://clearerthoughtspllc.com/the-danger-of-sentimentality/).

  • Perfectionism: This trait is not a virtue! Devin Dixon who’s the editor of Modern Teen shares this perspective: “Perfectionism was once praised as dedication to excellence and high standards. People admired those who fine-tuned every detail until it was flawless. That drive often meant missed deadlines and endless stress. Today a growth mindset is valued more than flawless results. Embracing mistakes as learning steps leads to faster progress and greater creativity. Constantly chasing perfection can cause burnout and stall projects. Balance ambition with flexibility and aim for progress over perfection. Modern culture honors resilience and adaptability over faultless work “(https://modernteen.co/10-personality-traits-that-used-to-be-praised-but-arent-anymore/).  This was considered a ‘virtue’ in the 1950s and prior, but, it’s not healthy for us to embrace as a ‘virtue’ now.

  • “Excessive Self-Sacrifice: In the past people praised constant self-sacrifice as noble and caring. Putting others first and neglecting personal needs was seen as proof of strength and devotion. Friends, family, and colleagues admired those who gave up time, money, and comfort to help others. Today self-care and healthy boundaries are valued more. Burnout and resentment can follow unchecked giving. Modern advice urges balance, not self-neglect. Sacrificing yourself to meet every demand now raises concerns about your wellbeing and sets a harmful example for others” https://modernteen.co/10-personality-traits-that-used-to-be-praised-but-arent-anymore/). It’s not a virtue to be a martyr.

  • “Workaholic Dedication & Total Availability: [This one hits hard with the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation Jones, and Gen X on the ‘workaholic’ trait and hits Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha hardest in being ‘totally available’ at all times - think about screen time, scrolling, inability to put down the cell phone.]  Working long hours without complaint was celebrated as dedication and ambition. People admired those who spent every spare moment on work projects and took no breaks. A workaholic mindset was proof you valued success above all else. Today balance and mental health are seen as essential. Chronic overwork leads to burnout and reduced productivity. Employers now encourage time off and flexible schedules. True commitment is measured by results not hours logged. Obsessive work habits no longer earn praise.  Always being available at any hour was once hailed as reliability and devotion. People praised those who answered calls and messages day and night and never set limits. That meant work could intrude on personal time without warning. Today setting clear availability boundaries is respected. Constant access leads to stress and poor work-life balance. People value focused presence during work hours and true downtime after. Being reachable all the time is a habit now seen as unhealthy and unsustainable” (https://modernteen.co/10-personality-traits-that-used-to-be-praised-but-arent-anymore/).  I was indoctrinated by the generation ahead of mine that these were ‘virtues’ so it’s not surprising that people of my generation attempted to push this way of life on their children / grandchildren and on their direct reports at work. Oy!

  • “Extreme Modesty: Extreme modesty once won admiration as humility and grace. People who downplayed achievements and always credited others were praised for selflessness. It seemed polite to avoid drawing attention to one’s successes. Now sharing wins confidently is valued and modesty can hold you back. Employers and peers want to know your strengths. Underplaying your role may cost you opportunities and recognition. Balanced confidence that acknowledges both your effort and your team’s support is the new ideal” (https://modernteen.co/10-personality-traits-that-used-to-be-praised-but-arent-anymore/).  What about extreme modesty in dress?  Is that still a ‘virtue’? I have a feeling if you asked someone from the Silent Generation or Baby Boomer or Generation Jones or Gen X population, you would get a very different answer from what people in younger generations would say. Ask your Millennial, Gen Z, and / or Gen Alpha child / grandchild this question: What are your thoughts on extreme modesty in dress?


Being a virtuous person may appear to be rare in 2026; still, there are many of us who value supporting and living virtuous lives. And, this isn’t a “left  or right” political thing; it’s about being a decent human being. Do you want to be one of the rare individuals in 2026 who is seen as a ‘virtuous person’? Please share your thoughts, insights, and suggestions by either commenting below this post if you are reading this on social media, or, if you are reading this through your email subscription, please share, by emailing me, at MissyDuncanPhdofficial@gmail.com . I invite you to subscribe to my blog at www.missyduncanphdofficial.com. My YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvddqOlfJbS0ypODwbmQ_JA .  Although my channel is just hatched and is not quite a fledgling, I will keep feeding it and encourage it to take flight.


* I am taking a couple of weeks off, so I’ll be back posting the last week of September.

 
 
 

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