virtue

The Evil of Partiality

Ideas, Worldview / By

The evil of partiality refers to showing unfair favoritism based on external factors like race, wealth, status, or appearance, which violates the fundamental principle of loving others equally. This bias is considered especially serious because it breaks God’s royal law to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Committing this sin makes one guilty of breaking the entire moral law. The solution lies in extending the mercy we’ve received to others through radical impartiality — seeing people’s inherent worth rather than judging them by human-made categories, or what they can do for us.

The Evil of Partiality Read More »

Decoding Justice

Virtues, Worldview / By

This Deep Dive podcast explores the competing definitions of justice that fuel modern political debates, tracing the concept from classical philosophy’s focus on internal virtue and the “golden mean” to biblical foundations emphasizing action for the vulnerable (mishpat). The discussion reveals a critical tension between two paradigms of social justice: one rooted in traditional biblical worldviews emphasizing impartial process and individual accountability, versus another emerging from critical theory that focuses on group identity and mandated equal outcomes. The analysis examines how these competing frameworks clash in contemporary diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) debates, highlighting the distinction between justice as something earned versus grace as something given, and between identity diversity versus diversity of thought.

Decoding Justice Read More »

The Virtue of Prudence

Virtues, Worldview / By

This essay explores prudence as the “master virtue” of practical wisdom that enables us to discern the right course of action in complex, real-world situations. Drawing from classical philosophers like Aristotle and Aquinas through Christian thinkers like Augustine, we trace how prudence bridges universal moral principles with particular circumstances through good deliberation, sound judgment, and effective action. The article culminates with a creative interpretation of the Beatles’ “Dear Prudence” as a cultural plea for the return of this essential virtue to modern society, where careful deliberation has retreated in favor of instant reactions and ideological rigidity.

The Virtue of Prudence Read More »

Augustine on Prudence

Virtues / By

In City of God, Augustine redefines prudence, a classical virtue, through a Christian lens, critiquing its misapplication in imperial and pagan contexts. He challenges the “prudence” of Rome’s pursuit of glory, arguing it leads to fragile happiness, likened to broken glass, marred by fear, lust, and bloodshed (Book IV, Chapter 3). Augustine posits that true prudence discerns God’s will, guiding virtues like justice, fortitude, and temperance toward eternal happiness rather than fleeting worldly gains (Book XIX, Chapters 4, 20). He critiques pagan virtues as enslaved to pleasure, reducing prudence to a tool for securing earthly desires (Book V, Chapter 20), and contrasts this with Christian prudence, which navigates moral choices in a fallen world.

Augustine on Prudence Read More »

Virtues For Building A Better Life

Virtues / By

An introduction to virtues such as prudence, justice, courage, and compassion. Drawing from classical, Christian, interpersonal, personal, social, and aspirational categories, this article lists 33 virtues— ranging from kindness and integrity to tolerance and creativity. These virtues are helpful for building stronger families, communities, and nations. Analogized to ancient architecture, the virtues provide a timeless framework for personal growth and societal harmony, promoting inner peace …

Virtues For Building A Better Life Read More »

Scroll to Top