Vices, Virtues and Sources of Human Strength in Historical Perspective

Abstract

An overview is given of the psychologically rich and variegated religious and philosophical reflections on human vices and virtues, from Biblical to modern times. It is argued that “human strengths” and “human weaknesses” must be studied in tandem; distinctions must be made between empirical and normative assertions about virtues; psychological health cannot be divorced from moral values; and religious literature can be existentially and psychologically meaningful even for nonreligious people. Mainstream 20th century psychology, in its hubris, has erred in ignoring religious and philosophical writings of a psychological nature, and in its disdainful attitude toward and scant attention to religion in general, notwithstanding the central role religion has played and will continue to play in human life and society.