Cardinal , coming from the Latin cardinālis , is a concept with several uses. The first meaning recognized by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) refers to that which is primordial, important or essential .
For example: “Solving the problem of inflation is cardinal for the new government,” “The next game will be cardinal for our team,” “We are embarked on a cardinal project that could define the future of the company.”
The whole number in the abstract is known as a cardinal number . Two, eight, twenty-four and three hundred and forty-five, in this framework, are cardinal numbers.
In the field of grammar , the term that allows the expression of a numerical value is called a cardinal numeral . It should be noted that a numeral is a quantifier (an element of grammar used to express quantities). Continuing with grammar, cardinal adjectives are those that refer to a cardinal numeral.
The cardinal points , on the other hand, are the directions that enable the development of a Cartesian-type reference system and that allow an orientation to be represented. North , South , West and East are the four cardinal points, which are used in all maps of our planet.
For astrology , the cardinal signs are the signs of the Zodiac that begin at one of the cardinal points and that mark the beginning of a season. These cardinal signs are Capricorn , Libra , Cancer and Aries .
The idea of cardinal virtues , finally, is used in religion to name four virtues (temperance, fortitude, justice and prudence) from which the others emerge.
Temperance allows us to moderate our weakness for pleasures and leads us to seek balance in the use of created goods. This cardinal virtue is what makes it possible to dominate the will over the instincts and never allows us to cross the line that divides honesty from indecency.
From the point of view of Christian theology, we understand fortitude as the ability to defeat fear and emerge unscathed from recklessness. It is the energy of the spirit, which is in no way related to physical force or violence, but rather to the rejection of temptations that distance us from morality.
Practicing justice leads us to give others what they deserve, which must be perfectly complemented by the portion of the common good that we take for ourselves.
Prudence is understood as the cardinal virtue of committing moderate and appropriate acts, according to the way that the scholastics defined to establish a difference with art. Prudence is also the virtue of establishing communication with others using literal, appropriate, clear and cautious language, to act always prioritizing the life, freedom and feelings of those around us.
Religion is not very in agreement with the nuances that modern life has imposed on this term, since they focus more on avoiding potential punishments than on acting considerately.
For Catholic theology, there is also the concept called infused cardinal virtues , which are the habits that can lead us to the will and understanding to act in accordance with the judgment of reason illuminated by faith, so that it chooses the means more conducive to the supernatural goals of human beings.
The main difference between these virtues and the theological ones (the habits that God instills in us to order our actions towards him; faith, hope and charity) is that the object is not God but honest good.