Purpose – This paper aims to look at the development of economic theory into what Aristotle called a “theoretical science” and the subsequent rejection of practical wisdom. Since business education is largely based on economic theory, this has an effect on management and other business...

Purpose – In turbulent times like these, practical wisdom from the religious and spiritual traditions can provide new grounding. In the Christian tradition, practical wisdom can be derived from exegesis of New Testament texts. Text exegesis can be integrated in executive education/formation,...

Purpose – Current mainstream management theory is based on incomplete assumptions regarding the nature of human beings and human action, leading to damaging practical results. This paper aims to draw on personalism for the formulation of better assumptions for theory....

Purpose – This paper aims to present Aquinas' psychological theory of action as a useful guide for understanding decision making in management. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual reconstruction of Aquinas' views on the structure of the moral act is shown to apply to the process of...

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the meaning, use and practical application to management education and leadership development of the terms wisdom, practical wisdom, prudence, discretion and discernment as used in the Rule of Benedict. Design/methodology/approach – After a detailed...

Purpose – This paper seeks to explore the role of virtues in the context of management from a religious perspective. Its objective is to shed some light on the significance of Martin Luther's anthropology and theology of justification for a modern understanding of practical wisdom....

Purpose – Acting in complex and paradoxical situations cannot be taught through recipes. This article rereads a seminal Biblical text, the Decalogue, and seeks to place it in the actual context for people confronted with difficult decisions and actions. If foundational texts are not...

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on business education, which should not exclude strains of religious ethical traditions, e.g. Catholic social thought, and the practical wisdom embodied in them. Design/methodology/approach – Recent traditions of social Catholicism starting from the Papal...

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to show the connection between spiritual capital and practical wisdom with moral virtue as the link of both concepts. Design/methodology/approach – The concept of spiritual capital will be explained using the well known concept of social capital and...

Purpose – First, this paper aims to demonstrate that there are specific obstacles to the progression of women to top positions. Second, it aims to give advice to individual women leaders and to organizations how to go about removing such obstacles. Design/methodology/approach – The paper...