The hottest Virtue Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

A Defence of Pride

Becoming Noble • 2491 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Virtue Humility
  1. Many reject Christianity because they believe it stifles excellence and greatness, but the sin of pride is not 'the pursuit of excellence' but a rejection of truth by overestimating oneself.
  2. Humility involves accepting the truth, including when it involves recognizing one's own greatness, and Christians are called to stretch their minds to pursue great things in alignment with reason.
  3. Magnanimity is a virtue that urges individuals to undertake great acts in accordance with reason while magnificence involves doing great actions in the material world, often for the glory of God.

Cultivating the Heroic Spirit

Becoming Noble • 1315 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Religion Sports Virtue Heroism
  1. Merely playing sports may not convey the full spectrum of virtue and spiritual experience sought; modern sports lack metaphysical significance and encounters with the transcendent.
  2. Sport is a vehicle for developing essential virtue, such as discipline and hardiness, which underpin the pursuit of higher goals.
  3. True sport is a fundamentally spiritual quest, calling for a connection between physicality and spirit, ultimately leading to transcending oneself through play, beauty, action, prayer, and devotion.

Socrates' Wayward Student

Classical Wisdom • 2220 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Ethics Hedonism Virtue Morality
  1. Cyrenaic hedonists took a different approach to pleasure than Stoicism, focusing on pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain as the highest good.
  2. Aristippus, a follower of Socrates, diverged greatly from his teacher's principles to indulge in luxury and extravagance, believing in seeking pleasure while maintaining mastery over desires.
  3. Cyrenaic hedonism promotes living a life devoted to pursuing pleasures while also advocating for mastery over desires, without becoming a slave to pleasure.
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The Economics of Vice and Virtue

David Friedman’s Substack • 287 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Society Economics Virtue Behavior
  1. Having an aggressive personality can work as a commitment strategy, but can lead to potential risks in encounters.
  2. Being honest and showing virtue is beneficial in voluntary interactions, leading to higher payoffs for individuals.
  3. In a market society where most associations are voluntary, virtues have higher payoffs and vices have lower payoffs, resulting in overall nicer behavior.

On Justices

Doc Hammer's Anvil • 216 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Justice Virtue Ethics Moral Philosophy Social Interaction
  1. Many fundamental moral and philosophical concepts have been lost in modern times, requiring a rediscovery and clarification of ideas.
  2. Justice is a crucial virtue that allows for moral compulsion through force, and it is important to differentiate between Commutative Justice (CJ) and Distributive Justice (DJ).
  3. Commutative Justice (CJ) involves actions that can be enforced through coercion without violating the perception of justice in the eyes of others, while Distributive Justice (DJ) focuses on the becoming use of what is our own and involves a constant debate on what is considered good.

The Art of Living

The Convivial Society • 2 HN points • 01 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Life Art Learning Virtue Humanity
  1. Living is an art that involves working creatively within the constraints of our human existence.
  2. Embracing the idea of an 'art of living' emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtues and skills rather than seeking quick fixes or hacks for self-improvement.
  3. Modern consumer culture promotes limitless consumption but does not lead to true fulfillment; practicing the 'art of living' involves accepting and celebrating the limits of our embodied existence.

“Intellectual humility” is a copout

Building the Builders • 9 implied HN points • 18 May 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Truth Virtue
  1. Intellectual humility should not be a way to avoid seeking knowledge and certainty but should push us to strive for deep understanding and confidence.
  2. Being intellectually ambitious involves questioning assumptions, admitting mistakes, and actively seeking wisdom and self-trust.
  3. True intellectual ambition requires the courage to act on well-founded convictions, pursue worthwhile possibilities, and persist through uncertainty.

SocratesGPT

The Right Question • 3 HN points • 04 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Virtue Power Dynamics Debate
  1. The Socratic Method is best used for self-examination, aiming to uncover 'double-ignorance.'
  2. ChatGPT falls short as a true Socrates simulator, lacking in discomforting interlocutors and inducing aporia.
  3. Arete is a concept that blends practical skill, moral excellence, and the pursuit of power, subject to personal and power dynamics.

Anchored Virtue: Navigating Life's Storms with Stoic Steadiness

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue Wisdom Courage Justice
  1. Stoicism emphasizes four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control, providing practical anchors for navigating life's challenges.
  2. Wisdom in Stoicism involves understanding what is within our control, distinguishing between internal reactions and external events.
  3. Stoic courage goes beyond physical bravery to include moral bravery, standing firm in beliefs and confronting fears with a bold heart.

An Introduction to Stoic Justice

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 13 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Ethics Justice Stoicism Virtue Empathy
  1. Stoic justice focuses on promoting principles like justice, equity, and fairness to achieve happiness and inner peace.
  2. Stoic justice emphasizes cultivating respect for others, promoting self-control and moderation, fostering humility, and encouraging empathy towards others' struggles and suffering.
  3. By embracing the values of Stoic justice, such as respect, self-control, humility, and empathy, we can work towards creating a more just and equal society where everyone's basic needs are met.

Stoic Meaning of Life

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Stoicism Virtue Acceptance Philosophy
  1. Stoic philosophy emphasizes living by nature and reason, aligning actions with the world's natural order and focusing on virtues like wisdom and courage.
  2. Virtue is central to Stoicism, guiding individuals towards a meaningful and fulfilled life, encouraging inner tranquillity and moral excellence.
  3. Accepting fate, cultivating an Inner Fortress, and focusing on gratitude are key aspects of Stoicism, providing tools to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and serenity.

Navigating Life's Game: A Stoic's Guide to Finding Meaning

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue Connection
  1. Virtue is key to finding meaning in life - be the hero who does the right thing, even when it's hard, using qualities like honesty, bravery, and self-control.
  2. Focus on controlling your actions and attitude, rather than worrying about things beyond your control - it's like adjusting your sails while sailing a boat.
  3. Roll with life's challenges, learn from them, and continue forward calmly - like enjoying a cup of tea in the middle of a storm.

Swimming with the Current: Embracing Life's Purpose through Stoic Wisdom

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Stoicism Virtue Gratitude Community Purpose
  1. Live according to nature: Swim with the current of life, understanding your place and living in sync with the world around you.
  2. Cultivate virtue: Embrace virtues like wisdom and courage as tools to make good decisions, face challenges, treat others fairly, and manage your emotions.
  3. Focus on what you can control: Invest your energy wisely in things within your power, and let go of what is beyond your control.