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L. Joseph Hebert

L. Joseph Hebert

L. Joseph Hebert is Professor of Political Science and Leadership Studies at St. Ambrose University. He is co-editor of The Soul of Statesmanship: Shakespeare on Nature, Virtue, and Political Wisdom.

Thomas More’s Antidote to Modern Ideologies

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Niccolò Machiavelli’s imprudence is surprisingly similar to that of Thomas More’s fictional character Raphael Hythloday. Since prudence is the virtue that finds practical means to moral ends, imprudence may consist in rejecting either practical realities (as does Raphael) or ethical principles (as does Machiavelli). To achieve justice, political regimes must reject both idealism and utilitarianism.

Yoram Hazony, “Conservative Democracy,” and the Classical Tradition of Reason and Liberty

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If we are to correct the wayward course of contemporary democratic societies, we must preserve what is true and good and mitigate what is false and harmful in both liberalism and nationalism. We would do well to embrace core principles of the Anglo-American constitutional tradition—principles grounded in and sustained by the virtue of prudence.

Thomas More on the Virtues and Vices of Property

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Thomas More’s Utopia suggests that a defense of property emphasizing material productivity, though valid, is inadequate. By probing classical reasons for and against private property, More goes deeper, addressing the objective needs of the human soul.

Socratic Reason, Free Speech, and White Supremacists

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Pretending that our government is neutral actually undermines our rights, since a government that enforces manmade “rights” while denying their basis in reality moves dangerously close to using force without right—the very essence of tyranny.

Richard III and the Machiavellian Madness of Postmodernity

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The reasons for Richard’s demise constitute a warning about a deadly Machiavellian madness to which contemporary society is highly susceptible.

Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and “The Very Mercy of the Law”

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Both principle and prudence are necessary if “the very mercy of the law” is to be achieved.

William Shakespeare and the Socratic-Christian Heritage

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Though he certainly finds fault in distorted versions of Christian ideals, Shakespeare pays tribute to the truth, beauty, and goodness of genuine Christian virtue.
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