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Cultivating a Life of Virtue with Jacob Allee

Feb 3, 2026

Guest

Dr. Jacob Allee

Jacob Allee, classical educator and founder of Study The Great Books, offers a concise mini bio as a maker of a virtue catechism and classical curriculum. He explores the seven cardinal and theological virtues. Short, practical advice on forming habits, fasting, accountability, and using literature to shape character. Thoughtful contrasts between classical flourishing and modern pleasure.

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insights

INSIGHT

Cardinal Virtues Hold Civilizations

Cardinal virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice) are cultural hinges supporting any functioning civilization.
Jacob Allee notes these virtues appear across Greece, Rome, China and are detectable by common human flourishing.

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INSIGHT

Theological Virtues Elevate Moral Virtues

Theological virtues (faith, hope, love) are gifts of grace that elevate and infuse the cardinal virtues for Christians.
Allee explains supernatural indwelling lets Christians practice cardinal virtues beyond common-grace capacities.

insights

INSIGHT

Virtue Is A Mean Between Vices

Each virtue sits between two vices: excess and deficiency, following Aristotle's mean.
Allee maps prudence to arrogance (excess) and ignorance (deficiency) to show practical moral balancing.

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Jacob Allee and Study The Great Books

02:01 • 55sec

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Why a Virtue Catechism?

02:56 • 2min

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Defining Virtue Broadly and Morally

05:08 • 2min

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Classical 'Happiness' vs. Modern Pleasure

07:05 • 4min

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Psalm 1 and Settled Blessedness

10:40 • 46sec

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The Seven Virtues Explained

11:26 • 5min

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Unbelievers, Common Grace, and Virtue

16:25 • 2min

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Origins of the Cardinal Virtues

18:18 • 3min

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Virtue as a Mean Between Extremes

21:30 • 2min

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Prudence and Temperance Defined

23:31 • 3min

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Fortitude and Justice Clarified

26:54 • 3min

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Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, Love

30:20 • 5min

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Do These Seven Cover All Virtues?

34:55 • 2min

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Virtue and the Gospel—Avoiding Legalism

36:54 • 5min

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Practicing Virtue Day-to-Day

41:27 • 5min

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Practical Steps for Overcoming Weaknesses

46:25 • 3min

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Fasting, Habits, and Leveraging Virtues

49:30 • 2min

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How to Begin: Contemplate and Act

51:41 • 5min

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Recommended Books and Resources

A brief reader on the virtues of the human heart

Josef Pieper

Josef Pieper's concise work examines the classical and Christian understanding of virtues and how they shape human character and flourishing. Drawing on Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions, Pieper reflects on virtues as habitual dispositions that orient the will toward the good and support a contemplative life. The book emphasizes the moral and spiritual formation necessary for true human flourishing and situates virtues within Christian theological context. Its accessible style makes it a popular introductory text for readers seeking a Christian philosophical approach to virtue.

#749

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen

Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel. It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death. The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak. Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby. Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.

#166

• Mentioned in 131 episodes

Dracula

Bram Stoker

The novel tells the story of Count Dracula, a vampire who moves from Transylvania to England to spread terror and create more vampires. The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, who travels to Transylvania to finalize the sale of a property to Count Dracula. Upon discovering Dracula's true nature, Harker barely escapes with his life. Dracula then travels to England, where he targets Harker's fiancée, Mina, and her friend Lucy. A group of characters, including Professor Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Quincey Morris, band together to hunt down and destroy Dracula. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, modernity vs. tradition, and the fears and anxieties of the Victorian era, including immigration, sexual desire, and the role of women in society.

#177

• Mentioned in 124 episodes

Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life. The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life. Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence. The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.

In this episode, I interview Jacob Allee, classical educator and founder of Study The Great Books, about the lost art of virtue and how the habits we form today shape who we become tomorrow. We explore the seven cardinal and theological virtues, how they relate to Christian living, and practical ways to develop virtue in daily life.

The Seven Virtues:

Four Cardinal Virtues (foundation of civilization):

PrudenceDoing the right thing at the right time after careful consideration

TemperanceModeration; knowing the right degree to partake in something

Fortitude (Courage)Willingness to risk one's wellbeing for the good of others

JusticeGiving to others what is their due

Three Theological Virtues (gifts of grace):

FaithBelieving what one ought to believe

HopeGreatly expecting something based on God's sure promises

LoveDisinterested concern for the wellbeing of others

Recommended Resources:

Books:"Nicomachean Ethics" by Aristotle"A Brief Reader on the Virtues of the Human Heart" by Josef Pieper"Dracula" by Bram Stoker (for fortitude and love)"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen (for temperance)

Where to Find Jacob:Study The Great Books: studythegreatbooks.comSubstack: stgb.substack.comVirtue Catechism available through his platforms

Follow YCBC:Substack: https://ycbc.substack.com/Ask questions you want us to answer: https://forms.gle/rTM1h2N329uK8Y45A

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