Pints With Aquinas 49: What are the 4 cardinal and 3 theological virtues? With Dr. Kevin Vost
Mar 21, 2017
Dr. Kevin Vost, clinical psychologist and Catholic author who teaches memory techniques, walks through the four cardinal and three theological virtues. He uses a method-of-loci memory tour and explains prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. He then contrasts infused theological virtues—faith, hope, charity—and why they differ from natural virtues.
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Virtue As Habit Between Extremes
- A virtue is a habit choosing the mean between deficiency and excess, following Aristotle and Aquinas's account of moral character.
- Aquinas calls virtues habits because they are acquired by repeated exercise and perfect our powers of reason and will.
Memorize The Seven Virtues With A Memory Tour
- Use the method of loci (memory tour) to lock in abstract lists by imagining vivid objects placed around a familiar room.
- Kevin Vost leads a dining-room tour: Prudence at the door, judge for Justice, fort in center, thermometer for Temperance, then Faith, Hope, Charity at chairs.
Prudence As Three Faced Practical Wisdom
- Prudence is practical wisdom that chooses the right means to virtuous ends and guides the other moral virtues.
- Kevin Vost explains Prudence's three faces represent memory (past), understanding (present), and foresight (future).
