Title: Only the Lover Sings: Philosophy and Contemplation
By Dr. Robert Hickson
This talk is a deep and scholarly exploration of the virtue of magnanimity, or greatness of soul, as a crucial remedy for the spiritual and cultural ills of the modern world. He argues that contemporary society is plagued by "pusillanimity," a smallness of soul, which manifests as a reluctance to strive for great and honorable things, especially in the service of God. Drawing on the philosophical insights of Aristotle and the theological wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Hickson defines the truly magnanimous man as one who, aware of his own great gifts, rightly judges himself worthy of great honors and undertakes great actions for the common good. He contrasts this with the vices of vanity, presumption, and the very pusillanimity he sees as rampant today. Ultimately, the talk is a call for Catholics to cultivate this demanding virtue, to aspire to spiritual greatness, and to have the courage to undertake difficult and noble deeds for the honor of God and the restoration of Christendom.
(From 2003 Conference)
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