Modern and historical scholarship, such as the comprehensive volume Virtues and Their Vices by Kevin Timpe and Craig A. Boyd, categorizes these traits into distinct sections to better understand their roles in human life:
: Virtues and vices are formed through habit. If a virtue like temperance is not actively practiced, it can erode over time, allowing competing non-temperate actions to take root. Foundational Classifications Virtues and Their Vices
The exploration of " Virtues and Their Vices " reveals a complex landscape where moral excellence is often defined not just by the presence of "good" traits, but by the precise balance maintained between opposing extremes. The Interplay of Character Modern and historical scholarship, such as the comprehensive
: Faith, hope, and charity, which are often viewed as surpassing natural capacity and requiring divine grace. Virtue Ethics - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Modern and historical scholarship