Final answer:
Courage is broadly defined as the virtue of being brave in the presence of fear and standing up for what is right, avoiding both excess and deficiency. It is a balanced approach to facing life's difficulties with the right amount of fear and confidence. Courage is pivotal for both personal integrity and societal progress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Courage is one of the six core values often discussed in the context of virtue and moral philosophy. It can be defined as the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. It is standing up for what is right, even in the face of opposition, and is considered a virtue that maintains a balanced position between excess and deficiency. Aristotle's conception of courage, as presented in his Nichomachean Ethics, suggests that it is a mean between recklessness and cowardice. This concept implies that there is an appropriate level of fear and confidence associated with courageous actions, maintaining a balance that contributes to personal and societal well-being.
Political philosophers and texts like 'Profiles in Courage' have generally affirmed that courage involves being brave enough to stand up for what is right and opposing what is wrong. It is important to recognize not only the presence of courage in action but also the wisdom to avoid crossing into foolhardiness or rashness. Courage, within the Stoic tradition, is one of the four core virtues and is linked to rational self-control and the ability to face life's challenges without succumbing to emotions.