Abstract

In this paper and presupposing a Christian Weltanschauung or biblical worldview, I will argue that vices are disordered loves and virtues are reordered loves. The Christian gospel makes the transition from the former to the latter state possible. The seven deadly sins—pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust—are disordered loves; the seven cardinal virtues—faith, hope, love, courage, justice, temperance, and prudence—are reordered loves. Since love is central in human experience—rooted in the heart—it is also central in moral formation and deformation. Love is the key to understanding the nature and action of both human vice and virtue.