Divining the Stealing of Man

Let us now turn our gaze to the virtues themselves, for they are the very lifeblood of this Structural Virtues Theory. Let us consider Magnanimity, the first virtue, which requires us to remember who we are through Awareness and Honesty. If we are immutable, then why bother with memory? Why strive for self-awareness if our identity is fixed?

Then there is Honour, that virtue which demands we value ourselves by our actions. If we believe we are simply as we are born, then what need have we for action? What need have we for any strengths at all? What then are we supposed to develop?

Next is Temperance, which tempers pride into order. Again, if we are already proud of what we consider this unchangeable selfness, then what becomes of temperance? It is rendered meaningless. The pride set in order through temperance is only that which is through action, active in honour.

Loyalty is the virtue that requires us to see this honour in others as demonstrated through temperance, and a deeper value in each other in commonality of intentions in virtues. If we are immutable, then loyalty becomes a joke, a meaningless gesture toward nothingness, awaiting to entrust an evil which would surely cut us down.

Thus, the myth of immutable selfness is not merely a philosophical error: it is a virtues-destroying force. It robs us of our ability to grow, to change, and to become. In doing so, it steals the very essence of what is most divine in humanity.