What a unique but great endeavor to undertake and lay out. My Christian ship has gained some holes and taken on some significant water, whether fortunately or unfortunately, but I find myself comparing and considering 'Stotle's virtues alongside the character fruits of scripture almost daily as of late. We might be hard pressed to find a more worthwhile thing to develop in ourselves.
Side-note: Thanks for pointing me here. Great stuff.
I've been interested in cardinal virtues for a great while and have been seeking a nexus among them (2) the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5) and (3) the Beatitudes (Matt. 5).
Something suggests to me that the three frameworks should intersect, overlap, synergize in a profound way.
Q: Have you considered the Beatitudes at all in your investigations?
First, I love this project. I'd like to ask about questions 6-8, but I'll start with 6 due to the length of the comment. So my understanding, which perhaps you can correct, is that you're invoking the eudaimonia vision of happiness and integrating it with love your neighbor as yourself. That's certainly beautiful. But I wonder if that is a sufficient grounding vision? Is my wellbeing and the well being of my neighbor what it's all about? Perhaps in the eudaimonia vision. But virtue in my estimation has something more to do with our telos. We are virtuous not just because it's good for us, but because it is our highest calling and it is consistent with our nature. Perhaps that can be fleshed out in eudaimonia, but that is not necessarily what I have come to associate with it. I would appreciate correction if I'm wrong, and look forward to reading more drafts of this. Thank you for the work you're putting in to make classical education more accessible.
In my view of the matter, our telos is wedded to our well being. In other words, we will never have happiness until we are functioning as we were designed to function. Virtue is what we were made for as image bearers. So I see the as harmonious concepts.
Thank you, that makes sense to me now. Well-being is doing more work than I gave it credit for in the response. My other questions were 1. is the desire for virtue only raised by observation? Or do you just believe this to be the primary method? And is it only by observation of human behavior? Or can other observations be made? 2. You mention later in the theological virtues that they are imparted by the Holy Spirit. Are the classical virtues achievable oneself in your estimation? Or would you say that your mention of the theological virtues as refreshing the classical virtue achieves the same kind of 'givenness' that you clearly state for the theological virtues?
1. I think observation is almost exclusively the catalyst for desire. One might be able to argue that the law of God written on our hearts someone internally works upon us to desire virtue, but I am inclined to think that this only shows us our lack of virtue as opposed to inspiring us to virtue.
2. My take is that the cardinal virtues are essentially achievable by human effort in virtue of the fact that all men, even apart from being born again, are image bearers and recipients of common grace. However, those who are born again receive supernatural grace and that this grace elevates us not only by imparting faith, hope, and love, but also by means of those virtues the cardinal ones are also improved.
I wish there was a place where we can upload/share classroom catechisms that we have been working on/using. Pool our resources. Our little co op started implementing classroom catechisms for each of our periods of the day last year after most of us read Something They Will Not Forget. Thank you for posting your virtues catechism!
Arts of Liberty, out of UDallas, has a really helpful explanation of the virtues with “proof-texts” from classical and biblical literature, as well as Aquinas. I thought I’d pass it along to aide with generating ideas as you collect your citations for this. https://www.artsofliberty.org/students/virtues
I found this catechism really helpful and imagine it easily providing a backbone for a humanities course. My mind also immediately went to Gibbs’ “Something They Will Not Forget” and how this fits well with his idea of the first 7-10 minutes of class.
Great list!
Reminds me of this Scripture:
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22 KJV)
Amen. the Bible talks a ton about virtue, if not always by that name.
Yeah.
The Lord knows we need moral clarity and He abundantly gives us such direction in His word.
We just can't miss or escape it if we will not neglect the study and meditation of His word!
Most edifying! 😊👍
This is excellent! I really appreciate a practical tool like this to teach virtue! Thank you! I love it!!
What a unique but great endeavor to undertake and lay out. My Christian ship has gained some holes and taken on some significant water, whether fortunately or unfortunately, but I find myself comparing and considering 'Stotle's virtues alongside the character fruits of scripture almost daily as of late. We might be hard pressed to find a more worthwhile thing to develop in ourselves.
Side-note: Thanks for pointing me here. Great stuff.
Well, my friend, if I can offer any assistance in repairing your ship, I’m at your service.
Excellent, virtue is much needed in the world today and in each and everyone of us who name Jesus is Lord.
Amen
Thanks. Great format (catechesis) and clarity.
I've been interested in cardinal virtues for a great while and have been seeking a nexus among them (2) the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5) and (3) the Beatitudes (Matt. 5).
Something suggests to me that the three frameworks should intersect, overlap, synergize in a profound way.
Q: Have you considered the Beatitudes at all in your investigations?
I’ve considered the fruit of the spirit and the flesh in relation to this topic, but not the beatitudes. I’ll have to give that some thought.
Thank you. You have captured the essence of it, with great clarity. I will use this in my class. I teach business students, and so I try to highlight the practical dimension of virtues for them by calling them “superhabits.” Here’s my take: https://open.substack.com/pub/superhabit/p/virtues-as-superhabits?r=457iow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
First, I love this project. I'd like to ask about questions 6-8, but I'll start with 6 due to the length of the comment. So my understanding, which perhaps you can correct, is that you're invoking the eudaimonia vision of happiness and integrating it with love your neighbor as yourself. That's certainly beautiful. But I wonder if that is a sufficient grounding vision? Is my wellbeing and the well being of my neighbor what it's all about? Perhaps in the eudaimonia vision. But virtue in my estimation has something more to do with our telos. We are virtuous not just because it's good for us, but because it is our highest calling and it is consistent with our nature. Perhaps that can be fleshed out in eudaimonia, but that is not necessarily what I have come to associate with it. I would appreciate correction if I'm wrong, and look forward to reading more drafts of this. Thank you for the work you're putting in to make classical education more accessible.
Good questions.
In my view of the matter, our telos is wedded to our well being. In other words, we will never have happiness until we are functioning as we were designed to function. Virtue is what we were made for as image bearers. So I see the as harmonious concepts.
Thank you, that makes sense to me now. Well-being is doing more work than I gave it credit for in the response. My other questions were 1. is the desire for virtue only raised by observation? Or do you just believe this to be the primary method? And is it only by observation of human behavior? Or can other observations be made? 2. You mention later in the theological virtues that they are imparted by the Holy Spirit. Are the classical virtues achievable oneself in your estimation? Or would you say that your mention of the theological virtues as refreshing the classical virtue achieves the same kind of 'givenness' that you clearly state for the theological virtues?
1. I think observation is almost exclusively the catalyst for desire. One might be able to argue that the law of God written on our hearts someone internally works upon us to desire virtue, but I am inclined to think that this only shows us our lack of virtue as opposed to inspiring us to virtue.
2. My take is that the cardinal virtues are essentially achievable by human effort in virtue of the fact that all men, even apart from being born again, are image bearers and recipients of common grace. However, those who are born again receive supernatural grace and that this grace elevates us not only by imparting faith, hope, and love, but also by means of those virtues the cardinal ones are also improved.
Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful responses. They are very satisfying. Best of luck as you continue to work on your project.
I wish there was a place where we can upload/share classroom catechisms that we have been working on/using. Pool our resources. Our little co op started implementing classroom catechisms for each of our periods of the day last year after most of us read Something They Will Not Forget. Thank you for posting your virtues catechism!
Arts of Liberty, out of UDallas, has a really helpful explanation of the virtues with “proof-texts” from classical and biblical literature, as well as Aquinas. I thought I’d pass it along to aide with generating ideas as you collect your citations for this. https://www.artsofliberty.org/students/virtues
I found this catechism really helpful and imagine it easily providing a backbone for a humanities course. My mind also immediately went to Gibbs’ “Something They Will Not Forget” and how this fits well with his idea of the first 7-10 minutes of class.
Thank you for the good work. Consider adding clarification that virtues are brought to life by action and are immutable. Values are fungible
Good thought. I agree, they’re tied to the unchanging nature of God.
Very good so far. It is most important today more than ever to learn about virtue otherwise we will fall into 'virtue signaling'.
Very true!
This is beautiful. Will this be published in book format?
Eventually. I plan to publish a book of classical education catechisms in association with the curriculum I am writing. https://stgb.substack.com/p/humane-letters-great-books
Going into a gospel rescue mission in KC, thanks!
This is much needed and will be taught and reviewed in our homeschooling. Thank you for this Jacob!!
Wonderful. I see a few additions and revisions I’ll be making already. So look out for the update.