Journeyman Philosopher

As was alluded to in my lengthy explanation of ‘Vegetarianism Moral Consistency’ consistency is important.

What I wish to express is just how important consistency is. In actuality consistency, in my view, is truly the only thing that we can consider a virtue.

I have grudgingly accepted that not everyone is this world logically will hold the same view, or that there is a 100% truth external from those truths.

This is as people simply adopt different base assumptions (be them about free-will, religion, core value.. etc) that they then use to derive their own personal belief.

But why in light of this would consistency be considered a virtue? When I say consistency I mean more than just doing what you say, I as well mean it as carrying on your belief to the external world. It is, if virtuous, in a sense making your values the truth that thereby affects your reality.

Let me illustrate with an example; I have a good friend whom is adamant about the ‘first dibs rule’. The first dibs rule states that if an individual buys/gets/has something they must be the first one to use it. Many people hold this view and its relatively common, however few hold it consistently.

A consistent user of the view, such as dat friend, would extend this view to others. If it is right for others to not use his item before he does first, then it should as well be right for him to not use others items before they do.

Most users do not go to this extreme, they are not consistent, and thereby they are not virtuous. They impose their view on themselves but not the world, thereby making it what I would consider an artificial/immature view.

They are not consistent because they apply it only to themselves. When an individual offers them something else they take it opting out of their belief temporarily to their own benefit.

The idea that I purport is that not only is consistency a virtue because its honest (as this would be a separate virtue), but because being consistent actually makes your view ‘true and real’. In such a light it is a desirable quality in of itself.

The fact is people say things that apply to them only because they’re special perhaps, yet they don’t purport this. Instead they live their lives in direct contradiction even contention with their beliefs.

My concept is: it is your duty if you generate a belief from whatever assumption you may adopt, that you acknowledge it as it is and apply it holistically in your life. Through this manner you live in your ideals, and, in a sense, instill ‘the true’ in them.