Psalm 23 is one of the most well known set of Bible verses — to quote verse 4 in its King James version, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort…
Tag: Christianity
Capitalism versus Socialism
Market-Based Systems: Understanding the Cooperation Inherent in Microeconomics
Part 1 of A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism Chapter 2 “Market-Based Systems” If we are going to compare the four economic systems, we need to first define and understand each one of them. This is the chapter that focuses on market-based systems. While the title of the book…
Capitalism versus Socialism
Next We See What the Bible Says about the Four Pillars
Part 2 of A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism Chapter 1 “Pillars of Economic Systems” Last blog, I introduced the four pillars and the four economic systems they define. Now, Simpson is looking to the Bible for any direction for answering the four pillars. Pillar 1: Who Owns Property It…
Capitalism versus Socialism
First We Examine the Four Pillars to Define Four Economic Systems
Part 1 of A Discussion of Thomas D. Simpson’s Capitalism versus Socialism Chapter 1 “Pillars of Economic Systems” It seems like a bold statement to say the Bible can tell us what economic system we should have. In fact, Simpson does not think it can directly, but if we define each economic system…
Virtues Abounding
Let’s Agree Society Should Esteem the Virtues
Part 2 of a Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 6 “The Christian Life of Virtue” In the last blog, we discussed the theological, or infused, virtues to complete St. Thomas Aquinas’s vision of developing the seven virtues: prudence, temperance, courage, justice, faith, hope, and love. I think a society where each…
Virtues Abounding
The Root of Moral Virtue: Faith, Hope and Love
Part 1 of a Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 6 “The Christian Life of Virtue” The preceding four chapters have covered each of the four cardinal virtues whose examination and analysis dates back to the time of Aristotle, also called the natural moral virtues: prudence, justice, courage, and temperance. In…
Virtues Abounding
Beyond Fairness: Why Cultivating the Virtue of Justice Is Essential for a Harmonious Society
A Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 3 “Justice” We move on to the second of the four cardinal virtues, justice. I found it challenging to understand the virtue of justice, in part because I already think I know the definition of justice but also because of the individualistic culture I…
Virtues Abounding
Why You Should Strive to be Prudent
A Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 2 “Prudence” Prudence is not a word we hear much today so saying it is a virtue likely does not communicate much. O’Keefe gives us St. Thomas of Aquinas’s definition as the “abiding inclination to decide well.” (p. 11) So that’s all clear now!…
Virtues Abounding
A Return to Striving for a Virtuous Life Solves Many of Society’s Ills
A Discussion of Mark O’Keefe’s Virtue Abounding Chapter 1 “The Virtuous Life” Last chapter introduced the idea of the seven virtues. The four cardinal virtues are courage, prudence, justice, and temperance, and the three theological virtues are faith, hope, and love. Now we turn to the question, what is a virtuous life?…
Why We Bite the Invisible Hand
Are We Anti-Capitalist by Design or by Evolution?
A Discussion of Peter Foster’s Why We Bite the Invisible Hand Chapter 7 “Darwin’s Dangerous Idea” As Foster continues to explore reasons people tend to dislike capitalism despite the wealth it has generated the past couple of hundred years, he turns to the ideas of Charles Darwin and natural selection….