Böcker av George Tsakiridis

Life is not fair. It is a lesson all of us learn at one time or another. Despite this, we have trouble accepting this plain truth. At a certain point, we have to realize that we are not subject to the whims of the world. We have to take control of our character. In Seven Virtues for Success, the reader engages this practical truth about navigating life. We cannot control those around us, but we can control our own thoughts and actions. While meditating on these seven cardinal virtues--humility, gratitude, diligence, agency, relationship, forgiveness, and kindness--the reader is invited to set their mind towards a foundation of character. Once our character is strong, the difficulties of life become easier to encounter. The road is straightforward, yet difficult, as history has shown us through religious texts and wisdom literature. This book is a distillation of thought on character building in the modern age. Starting with the ancient method of building habit found in Aristotle, it begins the path to thinking about how we build our own virtues and set our mind on the road to success.

This study puts the thought of Evagrius Ponticus, a fourth-century theologian, into dialogue with modern cognitive science in regard to the topic of evil, specifically moral evil. Evagrius, in his writings about prayer and the ascetic life, addressed the struggle with personal moral evil in terms of the eight "thoughts" or "demons." These "thoughts" were transmitted by John Cassian to the Western church, and later recast by Gregory the Great as the Seven Deadly Sins. Though present understandings of evil appear to differ greatly from those of Evagrius, his wisdom concerning the battle against evil may prove to be of great help even today. Using the work of Pierre Hadot to recover Evagrius's context, and the work of Paul Ricoeur to discuss how we construct descriptions and myths of evil, Evagrius is brought into dialogue with the cognitive sciences. Using current research, especially the work of Eugene d'Aquili and Andrew Newberg, this study reveals the contemporary relevance of Evagrius' approach to combating evil. In addition, the interdisciplinary study of patristics and cognitive science opens the pathway to a better understanding between Christian tradition and the modern sciences.

Description:This study puts the thought of Evagrius Ponticus, a fourth-century theologian, into dialogue with modern cognitive science in regard to the topic of evil, specifically moral evil. Evagrius, in his writings about prayer and the ascetic life, addressed the struggle with personal moral evil in terms of the eight ""thoughts"" or ""demons."" These ""thoughts"" were transmitted by John Cassian to the Western church, and later recast by Gregory the Great as the Seven Deadly Sins. Though present understandings of evil appear to differ greatly from those of Evagrius, his wisdom concerning the battle against evil may prove to be of great help even today. Using the work of Pierre Hadot to recover Evagrius''s context, and the work of Paul Ricoeur to discuss how we construct descriptions and myths of evil, Evagrius is brought into dialogue with the cognitive sciences. Using current research, especially the work of Eugene d''Aquili and Andrew Newberg, this study reveals the contemporary relevance of Evagrius'' approach to combating evil. In addition, the interdisciplinary study of patristics and cognitive science opens the pathway to a better understanding between Christian tradition and the modern sciences. Endorsements:""Recent years have seen a resurgence in studies of Evagrius of Pontus bringing his work into a new relevance to today''s world. This book by Dr. Tsakiridis examines the work of Evagrius and focuses on a perspective not well-covered in the literature-Evagrius'' importance to science especially the cognitive sciences. The book is insightful and represents an important new contribution to studies of Evagrius'' work and to the science and religion discussion as a whole. --Gayle E. WoloschakThe Feinberg School, Northwestern University""Few writers in the field of religion and science have the competence to interpret so many and varied texts in patristic mystical and moral theology, contemporary neuro - science, and the turn to spirituality in contemporary theology . . . He shows how both cognitive science and mystical theology can mutually enrich and inform each other in ways unimagined by today''s popular neo-atheists and agnostics.""--Robert A. CatheyMcCormick Theological Seminary""In a thoroughly limpid style, George Tsakiridis sets before us an exceptionally interesting project: (1) he centers on sin, evil, and prayer in a way that is central to the religious life; (2) he engages the cutting edge domain of cognitive sciences; and (3) he invites us to take seriously both a much neglected fourth century religious thinker and the most contemporary work of scientists who focus on the mind and its activities.""--Philip HefnerLutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Emeritus""George Tsakiridis artfully compares and clarifies the concepts used by ancient and modern thinkers to describe meditation, ways to deal with good and evil, and mysticism, and adds neuroscientific studies of such experiences. Though the times were vastly different, enlightening human commonalities emerge.""--Carol Rausch AlbrightLutheran School of Theology at ChicagoAbout the Contributor(s):George Tsakiridis is currently a Lecturer in Religious Studies at Saint Xavier University, Chicago.