TLDR;
Sarah Schnitker discusses the cultivation of virtue, emphasizing that it's not merely about personal happiness but about moral action and benefiting others. She highlights that virtues are habits cultivated over time, connected to a moral identity that transcends the self. The pursuit of virtue leads to increased well-being, including more positive emotions and greater life satisfaction. It requires practice in real-life situations and should be motivated by community and relationality rather than self-interest. Religious practices like fasting can enhance virtue development when framed within a sacred context. Virtuous behavior is essential for social cohesion and can positively influence others, shifting the focus from self-improvement to contributing to the greater good.
- Virtues are habits cultivated over time that require practice and community.
- Practicing virtues leads to higher well-being, including more positive emotions and greater life satisfaction.
- Virtues should be motivated by community and relationality rather than self-interest.
- Religious practices, when framed within a sacred context, can enhance virtue development.
- Virtuous behavior is essential for social cohesion and can positively influence others.
The Essence of Virtue [0:04]
Sarah Schnitker defines virtue as a disposition to act in a moral way, cultivated through habits over time and connected to a moral identity that transcends the self. She notes the complexity in defining "the right thing," a question debated by philosophers for millennia, suggesting the need for scientific tools to address it. Schnitker's research consistently demonstrates that virtuous individuals experience higher well-being, including more positive emotions, fewer negative emotions, greater satisfaction with life, and a greater sense of meaning. The goal is to help people train to become virtuous, moving beyond abstract desires to practical application.
Cultivating Virtue in Practice [2:12]
Moving from the abstract desire for virtues to practical application is challenging due to our habitual nature. Research indicates that virtues must be practiced in situations that demand them. For instance, cultivating patience requires waiting, and building courage necessitates facing threats. While virtues might seem like tools to optimize performance, it's important to avoid the self-help approach that promises instant change for personal gain. Doing a virtue solely for personal happiness or performance diminishes its moral component. People find it more difficult to practice virtue when it's self-focused rather than community-oriented and relational.
Virtue and Spiritual Practices [3:37]
Religious traditions and practices can aid in developing virtues over time. Fasting, for example, is often practiced for health and fitness reasons, but its impact differs when engaged as a spiritual practice. During Ramadan, the complete abstinence from food and drink from sunrise to sunset presents a difficult experience. Data shows that when fasting is practiced within a sacred frame, individuals not only grow in their virtues during the fasting period but also sustain increases in self-control and patience even a month after. This leads to virtue growth beyond mere health benefits. As virtues become habituated, they require less effort, and doing the right thing becomes automatic and second nature.
Virtue and Social Context [4:56]
Humans survive due to their hypersocial nature, and virtues supporting social functions, such as generosity, compassion, and kindness, are prevalent across cultures. While humans are born with capacities for both goodness and evil, some may adopt narratives embodying vice to prioritize personal gain. However, individuals shape their social context, and virtuous actions can powerfully influence others, fostering more virtuous behavior in response and elevating the group. The focus should shift from self-improvement to contributing to others and fostering community for the greater good.