Final answer:
Community involvement strengthens individuals intellectually and morally by creating social connections that foster virtues and civic engagement, promoting trust and participation in democracy, and providing collaborative opportunities that support psychosocial health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being involved in one's community strengthens an individual intellectually and morally by fostering social relations that enhance social virtues, such as generosity and friendliness. These virtues are nurtured through interactions that build a connection with others and prompt an aspirational growth towards helping the community thrive. This involvement leads to moral and intellectual development as individuals learn to navigate community responsibilities and adhere to shared societal norms, which go beyond personal interests to encompass cooperation, respect, and civic engagement.
Encouraging participation in social capital activities such as community service or political engagement, also contributes to this strengthening. These activities create networks that promote reciprocity and trust, motivating higher rates of political participation, greater community attachment, and increased levels of trust in government. Such an environment propels individuals to be more than passive citizens, enabling them to actively participate in democratic processes and social change.