"Come on a journey with two travellers - 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.
