Final answer:
The core value that embodies the moral and mental strength to do the right thing is integrity, a concept deeply rooted in the virtues of courage, wisdom, and temperance as highlighted by philosophers like Aristotle and the Stoics. It emphasizes a consistent adherence to moral principles and rational self-control as integral to a person's character and overall worth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The core value that describes the moral and mental strength to do the right thing is commonly referred to as integrity. Integrity encompasses the personal commitment to adhere to moral and ethical principles, and the strength of character to act consistently with those principles in the face of challenges or temptations. Philosophers like Aristotle and the Stoics emphasized virtuous qualities such as courage, temperance, and wisdom, which contribute to the development of a good character, and ultimately lead to moral actions. A moral theory that effectively guides behavior must be grounded in a logical foundation, as it is through acting in accordance with a well-founded moral structure that one exercises good will, maintains rational self-control, and affirms one's dignity and worth.
Moreover, during self-reflection, typically at life's end, individuals often measure the worth of their existence not through material possessions, but through an examination of their moral actions and the extent to which they adhered to their core values.
Engaging in moral inquiry is essential for advancing one's moral maturity, leading to the recognition of universally accepted virtues and principles, such as benevolence within Confucian ethics, which highlight the importance of doing right by others in societal and communal contexts.