Acton Line Andrew Abela Is Popularizing the Virtues with “Superhabits”
Nov 26, 2025
Andrew Abela, the founding dean of the Busch School of Business and a scholar on character formation, discusses his book, Superhabits. He explains how superhabits offer a practical take on classical virtues, connecting them to Aquinas and Aristotle. The conversation dives into enhancing human flourishing through virtues, the gap in current habit literature, and the necessity of reshaping virtues for modern readers. Abela also reveals how cultivating small virtues can revitalize personal lives and society, emphasizing their role in addressing civic and familial challenges.
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Virtues Rooted In Human Nature
- Andrew Abela grounds Superhabits in Aquinas' Treatise on the Virtues merged with Aristotle and positive psychology research.
- He argues human flourishing comes from living virtues aligned with our design, not from abstract ethical theories.
Positive Psychology And Thomism Converge
- Positive psychology and Aquinas describe the same character habits but use different labels; psychologists call them character strengths.
- Abela blends St. Thomas with contemporary positive psychology to provide both philosophical depth and empirical support.
Pick Habits That Lead To Flourishing
- Habit literature explains how to change behavior but not which habits to choose.
- Superhabits answers the crucial question: which habits are worth growing for flourishing?
