Pride is very often taken to be a terrible thing, an extreme character vice--or, in religious language, a sin. C.S. Lewis' essay is grounded in this assertion. But reaching at least as far back as Aristotle we find a contrary point of view. The Ancient Greeks understood pride as a virtue. Moving beyond the West, we find Confucius grappling with this as well.

Is this a clash  of generations and cultures or can the various views be reconciled? It's an important question that bears heavily on the character of military officers.   

READ THIS

C.S. Lewis, "The Great Sin," reprinted from Mere Christianity

Aristotle, "Pride, Vanity, Humility," reprinted from Nicomachean Ethics

Marcus Hedahl, "Why the Military Needs Confucian Ethics" (interactive essay)

WATCH THIS (Optional)

An application of C.S. Lewis' view of pride:

Think through these questions before you come to class

1. Compare and contrast the different views of pride. On the surface, they might seem to be in disagreement, are they?
   1. For instance, if C.S. Lewis read the Aristotle essay, what do you think he would say?
2. Explain the importance of principled ritual etiquette to military customs, courtesies, and ritual.