“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “No one is good except God alone.
Social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, in his book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion works through the secular psychological research that propels each person towards the defense of personal goodness. In a series of interviews with people from differently stratified class, gender, and ethnic categories, Haidt and his assistants discovered that the internalized moral compass that guides human behavior first and foremost works to justify the behavior of the individual. Both intuitive “feeling” moral judgments, and the rationalizing efforts of the mind together work overtime to preserve the virtue of the individual. But something has changed in the last couple of years. To demonstrate that change, it is necessary to stress the reality that virtue is a crucial ingredient in an ordered society, but more than that, seeing that virtue is of the essence. Signaling virtue, or goodness, is the very core of human community. The good must be sorted out from the bad. The bad must conceal their vice. This deep-rooted common grace keeps most of us trudging along in basically a good direction, trying to, in the same moment, advance our own interests and win the approval of others. This episode is a conversation about the need for both Christians and non-Christians alike to point out our virtue to others.
This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with Journal author Anne Kennedy about her online-exclusive article, “Why Do I Call Myself Good? A Look at Virtue Signaling.”
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Other articles and Postmodern Realities podcasts featuring this author:
Episode 211: There Is No Health in Us: Wellness and Self-Care in the Age of COVID-19
There Is No Health in Us: Wellness and Self-Care in the Age of COVID-19
Episode 209 She Who Has Eyes, Let Her See: A look at Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis
She Who Has Eyes, Let Her See: A look at Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis
Episode 204: The Road Back to Where? A Look at Self Discovery Using the Enneagram
The Road Back to Where? A Look at Self Discovery Using the Enneagram
Episode 198 Cancel Culture and the Gospel: Where Can You Go When The Whole World Is Against You?
Cancel Culture and the Gospel: Where Can You Go When The Whole World Is Against You?
Episode 193 Catching UP with Rachel Hollis, Glennon Doyle & Jen Hatmaker
Episode 191 Gods, Gold, and Cheetahs: The Theological Vision of Untamed
Gods, Gold, and Cheetahs: The Theological Vision of Untamed
Episode 181 But What If It Is Me? The Work and Worldview of Brené Brown
But What If It Is Me? The Work and Worldview of Brené Brown
Episode 178 Worshipping Together
Episode 151 Am I a Bad Christian for Watching Hallmark Christmas Movies?
Am I a Bad Christian for Watching Hallmark Christmas Movies?
Losing Faith: A Look at the 2019 Evolving Faith Conference
Episode 140 The Theological “Mess” in the “Moxie” of Jen Hatmaker
The Unhindered Leadership of Jen Hatmaker
The Theological “Mess” in the “Moxie” of Jen Hatmaker
Episode 136 Have You Considered Trying Harder: The Theology of Rachel Hollis
Have You Considered Trying Harder: The Theology of Rachel Hollis