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Summary
Ben speaks to Mark McKee about the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. We highlight the importance of these virtues in our daily lives and how they can guide our actions and interactions with others.
We emphasize the countercultural nature of these virtues in today's society and the need to refocus on moral courage and self-control. We also discuss the relevance of these virtues in historical contexts and how they can help us navigate challenging times.
The conversation highlights the disconnect between the ruling class and the general populace, both in politics and in professional life. The public often feels that their views are not represented by the 'elite', as seen in the recent referendums in Ireland and the Brexit vote. The lack of virtue and trustworthiness in the ruling class sits at the heart of this, as well as in cases such as the recent issues Boeing has been facing around safety.
We conclude that living by the four cardinal virtues can lead to professional and financial success, as well as personal satisfaction and a positive impact on the world.
Let's be virtuous :)
PS - apologies for the poor sound quality and couple of breaks in the interview where Mark dropped out. I am looking at using a different tool to facilitate these conversations to improve sound and image quality.
Takeaways
The four cardinal virtues - prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance - are foundational to living a virtuous life.
Prudence involves thinking through the potential consequences of our actions and seeking wise counsel.
Justice is about fairness and righteousness, treating others with respect and upholding the rule of law.
Fortitude is the courage to confront fear, uncertainty, and intimidation, and to persevere in the face of challenges.
Temperance involves self-control, discretion, and sound-mindedness, avoiding extremes and finding balance.
Living by these virtues can be countercultural and require moral courage in a society that often prioritizes revenge, conformity, and self-fulfillment.
The virtues have been valued throughout history and can provide guidance and stability in challenging times.
It is important to build a positive and life-affirming outlook, focusing on gratitude and the abundance of good things in our society.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Four Cardinal Virtues
16:08 Prudence: Thinking Before Acting
18:06 Justice: Fairness and Righteousness
20:03 Fortitude: Courage and Forbearance
23:22 Temperance: Self-Control and Discretion
24:22 Introduction and Setting the Stage
24:22 The Four Cardinal Virtues
25:39 The Importance of Fortitude
26:34 The Need for Temperance
33:18 The Wisdom of Ancient Civilizations
34:25 The Overemphasis on Revenge
35:24 The Countercultural Nature of Virtues
36:54 The Shift from Left and Right Paradigms
39:21 Living Virtuously in Professional Life
46:09 Professional and Financial Success with Virtuous Living
51:59 The Lack of Virtue in Leadership
56:35 The Importance of Positive Environmental Narratives
59:26 The Manipulation of Ideologies and Lack of Virtue in Politics
01:01:26 The Need for Gratitude and Positive Outlooks
01:03:41 The Blade Runner Phenomenon and Non-Compliance
01:09:18 The Importance of Celebrating the Good in the World
01:11:30 Conclusion and Future Discussions
