The Thomistic Institute How to be a Little Less Awful: The Cultivation of Virtue I Prof. Timothy J. Pawl
13 snips
Jul 31, 2025 Join Prof. Timothy J. Pawl, a renowned philosopher from the University of St. Thomas, as he explores the intricate nature of virtue. He harmonizes Christian moral wisdom with contemporary psychology, detailing eight practical steps to cultivate virtue in daily life. Topics include the roles of self-control and habit formation, drawing from Augustine's insights, and creatively bridging ancient teachings with modern practices. Listeners will discover how nurturing virtue can transform personal growth and enhance moral wisdom, even in challenging times.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Augustine's Definition of Virtue
- Virtue is a stable, good quality of the soul that enables one to live rightly and cannot be used for bad ends.
- Augustine highlights that virtues are divinely worked in us and perfect our moral character.
Virtue's Exclusive Good Aim
- Virtues have a purely positive moral orientation and never lead to immoral actions.
- Some traits like tenacity can lead to good or bad behavior, but virtue always aims at the good.
Build Self-Control by Practice
- Practicing small acts of self-control regularly builds overall self-control capacity.
- What matters is exercising self-control, not the specific activity you practice.
