Welcome to the Virtue Continuum.

All of our lessons are using an image to demonstrate the center column being a desired objective Virtue.  The left hand side represents the deficiencies of self or others.  The right hand side represents the excess of self or others.

This image is a representation of an original creation of  James Lanctot  to illustrate Aristotle’s thoughts on virtue for this paper (co-authored with Justin Irving in 2007) discussing servant leadership.  According to Lanctot and Irving, servant leadership is a model of leadership “that places the good of those led over the self-interest of the leader”. As one might suppose, this continuum is often referenced in terms of business or organizational leadership. It also comes up when discussing personal development.  For the context of our discussions we will be discussing this from the perspective of the leadership within the Family Unit.

What we hope to foster through this teaching is to be a catalyst for self-examination.  The illustration can be a touch stone to measure the traits which are foundational to who we are can become perverted when taken to extremes.   Many conflicts within relationships, politics and social justice can be traced back to differing opinions as to the location of “center”.

We want to empower those taking this course to begin with a journey to determine, is the center TRUE.  If one does not believe with the center being true attributes of desirable virtues then this is journey is an exercise for the sake of an exercise.  If you resonate with the Virtues being True, and you are willing to attempt self examination, we anticipate this experience will be rewarding.

We hope you join us as we expand on the lessons on the Virtue Continuum.