Our Affectivity and the Task of Educating and Refining our Heart

This is a summary of a talk given by Juan Luis Lorda during the 23rd Day of Priestly Encounters, in Valladolid in 2015. We are made up of intellect, will and affectivity, or, in more general terms, we have a heart. But what this exactly means is somewhat opaque and hard to define. How does the heart help us in our decisions? There is a fascinating discussion of classical and modern authors, in particular Dietrich Von Hildebrand's book, The Heart (1965). Also I try to examine the essential relationship between the heart, and our affinity to virtue, or how one ought to live an upright life. Thumbnail: Auguste RODIN (1840-1917), Plaster bust of Camille Claudel (around 1882).