285. Dynamics of Vitality IV: The Cardinal Virtues
Mon Feb 02 2026
#285: In this episode, Sharif and Kevin map the ancient framework of the cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance—onto the modern “three engines” model of meaning, effort, and attention. Kevin argues that love sits at the core of both emotion and virtue, and shows how different “dark valleys” (anxiety, depression, addiction) have corresponding saddle points where a person can open to reality or close against it. The conversation turns practical as they translate each virtue into a simple question you can ask in the heat of the moment—especially when uncertainty, exhaustion, or craving tries to hijack your next move.
Find more at https://OptimalWork.com
More
#285: In this episode, Sharif and Kevin map the ancient framework of the cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance—onto the modern “three engines” model of meaning, effort, and attention. Kevin argues that love sits at the core of both emotion and virtue, and shows how different “dark valleys” (anxiety, depression, addiction) have corresponding saddle points where a person can open to reality or close against it. The conversation turns practical as they translate each virtue into a simple question you can ask in the heat of the moment—especially when uncertainty, exhaustion, or craving tries to hijack your next move. Find more at https://OptimalWork.com