Theology in the Raw Living Well in a Chaotic World: Dr. Alan Noble
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Jul 30, 2026 
O. Alan Noble, Professor of English and author of To Live Well, offers practical wisdom for navigating moral chaos. He explores whether unplugging helps, explains the seven classical virtues, and unpacks prudence, courage, justice, temperance, and public life. Conversations touch on social media, suffering, and how institutions shape flourishing.
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Moral Chaos Feels Like Broken Images
- Chaotic times are moral and normative overloads where competing gurus and shifting data tell people contradictory ways to live well.
- Noble compares modern life to Eliot's heap of broken images: fragmented norms create anxiety and constant shifting of fads.
Prudence Means Decide And Follow Through
- Cultivate prudence as practical wisdom: survey reality, acknowledge the ultimate good (glorifying God), get wise counsel, decide, then follow through resolutely.
- Emphasize resoluteness to avoid regret and decision paralysis.
Small Choices Mirror Big Decision Paralysis
- Choice overload produces paralysis even in trivial contexts (toothbrush aisle example) and escalates into existential angst over careers or marriage.
- Acting prudently reduces paralysis by making best-effort decisions and pivoting if needed.
