The Freedom of Virtue

“Come on a journey with two travelers — not virtuous, just trying to be. Virtue is not for everyone and many people find their happiness in the green valleys of life. But for those of us with a little chutzpah a summit looms high above and time is of the essence… “ What makes a person, no matter their background, intelligence, or resilience, stand out from the crowd, to display excellence in the art of living? It was this question that led two friends — a behavioural neuroscientist turned counsellor and a mathematician — both experienced academics and educators, to embark on a journey of discovery into the ingredients for human excellence. The dish they found is called virtue. Virtue sits in the background of daily life, yet influences everything we say and do. It is about a person’s style and substance in spite of their physical strength or intellect. Virtue is for us all, not only for the strong and the smart. So how do we attain a life of excellence amidst a modern world that has provided so many technical advances yet in which we still suffer so much anxiety, depression, obesity and conflict? The authors argue our need to always feel comfortable, if not happy, has robbed us of achieving excellence in our own lives. Taking an evidence-based approach, they examine research findings from positive psychology, anthropology, and biology and delve into the tenets of religion and philosophy to identify six virtues which are foundational to our humanity and which orientate each of us to our ‘best-lived’ life. Cutting across cultural and religious barriers this unique book provides readers with practical tools in the daily art of living useful to parents, teachers, mental health professionals, community workers and business leaders. Create your own clear path to a life of excellence through virtue.