MANLINESS, LinsonThomas

Manliness defines the physical and behavioral attributes of a real man. In many cultures, the basic characteristics of masculinity include physical prowess (strength, fitness, and a lack of laziness), courage, wisdom, and honourable or righteous behavior.

 There is an important distinction to be made between men and good men. Bad or immoral men can and often do demonstrate strength and masculinity and dominance. To say that they are not men because they are immoral is a grave mistake. Young men idealize men who demonstrate strength, and if your bad men always appear to be stronger than your good men—your sons will idealize bad men. Masculinity is separate from morality.An immoral man is simply a bad man, or a man who has different values than your own. If he is from a different culture—especially if he happens to be your enemy—he may well be a moral man in his own people's eyes. Wars often pit good men against each another.

We can acknowledge the manliness of pirates and raiders and mobsters and tyrants without redefining masculinity to exclude them. At the same time, we must differentiate between good men and bad men. In the simplest terms, we need our good men to be strong so that they can stand up to and defend us from bad men! Masculinity seems to have a morality of its own, a code of honor that grows from the selective exercise of strength. A man can be good at being a man without necessarily being a good man.Many moral philosophers regard scientific research as irrelevant to their work because science deals with what is the case, whereas ethics deals with what ought to be.

What with Arnold and DSK, male transgression is once again in the news. Let's not equate the two cases—one is forgivable, the other, if the accusations are true, is not. Together with these male transgressions is the reaction to them, still more interesting. The reaction shows the power of morality to produce disgust and disgrace at the sight of these male weaknesses. Even though morality can't prevent such excesses, it won't let go of us. Just when we think we are too advanced, too sophisticated, too New York to care, we all have to stop and gasp and exclaim to one another.

A person that does not believe in a higher power but does not lie, cheat, steal and is what most people would consider a good person. Not because they believe that they will be punished if they don't act a certain way. VS. a person who acts that way because they feel that they have to, because they will spend an eternity burning if they do not. Who is the better person? I believe that it's the person who's doing it just because they feel it's right.

"Be aware of 'yes' men. generally, they are losers."