Guiding Virtues, Cardinal Fallacies, and Their Philosophical Antidotes

 

One aspect of Logic-Based Therapy (LBT) that sets it apart from other cognitive-behavior approaches to problems of living is that it provides guiding virtues to overcome self-destructive forms of self-destructive thinking referred to as "Cardinal Fallacies."  So for each fallacy there is at least one "guiding virtue" to counteract it.  For example, for blind conformity ("jumping on the bandwagon") there is authenticity.  For a table that can help you to determine what virtues you may need to work on CLICK HERE. 

Types of Antidotes

 

Because there are many different philosophically enlightened ways to interpret the latter virtues, LBT helps people find philosophical interpretations that align with their personal belief systems.  For example, for a deeply religious person,  having faith in God would make a person courageous while for a nonreligious existentialist, being courageous might mean accepting that they, alone, bear the freedom and responsibility to decide their own destiny.  LBT, therefore, does not tell you what philosophical views to embrace in your lifelong quest for virtuous living.  Instead, it encourages you to choose philosophies that resonate best with you.  

Accordingly, this website organizes thousands of philosophical perspectives into 7 different categories to accommodate different world views, such as in the above example.   Following are these 7 categories of antidotes  along with an explanation of each.  They are not necessarily mutually exclusive and you may find yourself feeling comfortable with more than one category.

Primary Categories (Antidote Types):

  1. Existential Antidotes

    • These emphasize finding your own meanings, personal responsibility, and freedom to choose, despite the inherent uncertainty and risks in life.

  2. Stoic Antidotes

    • These focus on accepting that there are things you cannot control (for example, other people’s attitudes and reactions) and maintaining inner peace through reason and discipline.

  3. Pragmatic Antidotes

    • These offer practical solutions through effective, action-oriented strategies.

  4. Ethical Antidotes

    • These focus on the moral significance of how you respond to life situations.

  5. Mindfulness-Based Antidotes

    • These encourage being present in the here-and-now, observing your negative thoughts and feelings instead of judging them; letting them go rather than clinging to them.

  6. Theistic Antidotes

    • These draw strength from faith in a higher power or divine providence, often tied to religious traditions, including both Eastern and Western ones

  7. Humanistic Antidotes

    • These stress human dignity, self-empowerment, empathy, and personal growth in the face of life’s challenges.

 

Appeal Classifications (Broader Resonance):

The above categories or types of antidotes also have 11 subtypes that can help you decide whether an antidote in question will work for you.  For example, some existentialists are theists while many are atheists or agnostics.  So, if you are a theist, an existential antidote that talks about God may work for you.  But if you are an atheist it would probably not resonate very well with you.

Here are these 11 subtypes:

  1. Humanistic and Existential Appeal

      • Focuses on personal growth, self-expression, and meaning-making.

  1. Practical and Problem-Solving Appeal

      • Appeals to those who value actionable and results-oriented thinking.

  1. Rational and Logical Appeal

      • Attracts individuals who prioritize intellectual clarity and reasoned decision-making.

  1. Spiritual and Transcendental Appeal

      • Resonates with faith-based or spiritually motivated individuals.

  1. Heroic and Aspirational Appeal

      • Inspires admiration for courage, resilience, and noble action.

  1. Mindfulness and Introspection Appeal

      • Appeals to those who value self-awareness, internal peace, and mindfulness practices.

  1. Resilience and Growth Appeal

      • Highlights the transformative power of perseverance through adversity.

  1. Integrity and Moral Appeal

      • Emphasizes ethical consistency and living in alignment with one’s values.

  1. Relational and Empathy Appeal

      • Promotes connection, compassion, and shared humanity.

  1. Harmony and Simplicity Appeal

      • Encourages balance, letting go, and valuing the essentials in life.

  1. Discipline and Mastery Appeal

      • Advocates for self-regulation, control over impulses, and mastery of emotions.

Press on the below continue button to access the different types of antidotes!