Virtue & Values and Human Excellence - NPR

In this episode Fr Sean and Stina finally tackle the topic of Virtue - habitual goodness and human excellence. Virtue is more than signalling, or an old and impractical concept in our time; and it's more than tapping our toes and calling it patience, or being prudish. Virtue is not just how we act but an all encompassing integration of thoughts, emotions, desires and behaviour. It's a true and healthy integration of the whole human person where love is at the core. 

Our hosts also look at the way in which our value systems play into how we choose to live out our lives; including universal values of living and societal values of friendship, encouraging listeners to consider 'Looking at my personal values, why do I value these?' 

For those who don't know their personal values - some questions to start reflecting - 

1. Who do I admire and why have they made a positive impact on me?

2. What is it in life that inspires me to take action? 

3. Where are the circumstances/situations where I am living life most fully myself, and most like the person I was made to be? Also, where are the situations and circumstances where I am least like who I am made to be?

 

Fr Sean and Stina share their personal values and discuss the importance of considering whether personal values match in relationships such as friendship and romantic relationship. Fr Sean outlines the number one value for a Christian, and Stina asks the question of what happens when Goodness is not a common value within a relationship. 

20'30'' - Fr Sean asks Stina 'This all sounds too hard, why should we bother with Virtue?' 

 

Truth, Beauty and Goodness

24'40 - Transcendental Properties of Being