Abstract

Through practical experience, virtues can be turned into second nature. While intellectual knowledge can be acquired through instruction, moral virtues can not be gained without practical experience. Philosophically, this is proven by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Ignatius Loyola and Vives. Further examples for this can be found in the Bible, as well as in Montaigne, Pascal, Gracián and Mateo Alemán. In Calderon’s La vida es sueño, the lack of practical experience initially leads Segismundo to inappropriate behaviour, which can only be changed by making experiences at court.