In english – About courage

The feeling of psychological safety is a requirement for an individual’s courage

COLUMN | Kaisa-Reetta Seppänen contemplates the origin of courage’s definition and what it actually entails in her column.

In the everyday, courage is often mistaken for bravery. The Finnish word for bravery ”urhoollisuus” has its roots in the word ”urho” which means a full-grown man or a hero. Additionally, the Finnish word for exercise ”urheilla” is also a derivative of ”urhoollisuus” – the term was purposefully chosen to be used in colloquial Finnish in an 1886 meeting of the Society for the Study of Finnish. Before the word ”urheilla” came into colloquial Finnish, it was apparent in different dialects as a description for reckless behaviour. In English, the term ”bravery” is a derivative of ”barbarous” that originates from Italian, Spanish and their parent language Latin.

HOWEVER, COURAGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AN EXERCISING HERO. It’s speculated that the Finnish word for courage ”rohkeus” was some time ago simplified from the word ”rohtia” which is a synonum for verbs such as daring, bold, courageous, unflinching, or dauntless. In English, on the other hand, the word ”courage” comes from the Latin word ”cor” meaning heart.

There is a Finnish proverb that originates from the Latin one ”fortune favors the brave” that goes along the lines of ”The courageous one eats the soup, the shy one starves to death, the timid one even a cabbage can’t get” – which isn’t a kind one. In the proverb, an individual is left on their own devices to act courageously and thus make it well in life. Courage is seen as a part of temperament that you either have or don’t have - and the image of a capable and brave hero distorts it. At its core, courage means emotional intelligence and self-awareness, and it doesn’t depend on whether you’re reckless, introverted, extroverted, shy, timid or kind.

Many different emotions rise in moments that require bravery; fear and anxiety, the fear of being seen or judged. However, they can also make one feel excited, inspired, accomplished and proud. With the mental image of a brave hero, one can feel that they don’t fit in or that they’re not brave enough, and thus might stay out of situations because they’re sensitive, shy or otherwise not seen as brave.

In the university, students are encouraged to be initiative and to think critically and courageously. However, courageous thinking can’t come about if an individual doesn’t feel safe enough in their surroundings. If courage is required of an accomplished individual, their surroundings - the community - must be demanded for a safe enough space in order for each unique courage to be able to flourish. In the academic world, especially those in the authority are responsible for creating a safe space and psychological safety, but it’s not enough. Everyone in a community is responsible for maintaining psychological safety. However, in order for everyone to understand what psychological safety is, it should already be taught in primary school. I only came across the term at university.

Courage isn’t just the lack of unwanted feelings - it is the ability to act despite them, as well as knowing that there is support around you. Have a gentle start of term. •

In the university, students are encouraged to be initiative and to think critically and courageously. ”

However, courageous thinking can’t come about if an individual doesn’t feel safe enough in their surroundings.