The Culture of Heart

What is the "Culture of Heart"? The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language defines culture as "The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought." This column is dedicated to the belief that the ethical underpinning of a peaceful "culture of heart" can and should be the concept that "unselfish love for others" has the highest value. I believe that human beings are driven by their strongest desires. If one desires to care for and love others more than any other desire, and considers that way of life to be the best way to live, then -- even though we're all flawed -- our thoughts, emotions and actions will change and progress toward the better. A society and culture that adheres to that commonly shared value system will become, one hopes, a "culture of heart". To that aim, I offer these columns.

Unselfish Love: The Engine that Drives Successful Marriages and Families

by Peter Falkenberg Brown, July 1, 1999

When a husband and wife adopt unselfish love as their primary and daily methodology, their love for each other will grow more beautiful as the years go by. They will begin to treat each other with increasing care and consideration. To do otherwise would go against their value system. more

The Economy of Heart

by Peter Falkenberg Brown, June 5, 1999

Human nature, and the various evils that lurk in the heart of man, are the prime stumbling blocks to a global economic heaven. more

Resurrecting and Uplifting Our Children's Hearts

Excerpted from the book Becoming a Parent of True Love

by Peter Falkenberg Brown, May 1, 1998

When Kim or I reprimand our children, the most important task we have afterwards is to resurrect their heart and feeling. more

Murderers Have No Right to be Free

(originally published in "The Richmond Republican", Vol. 2, No. 1, Winter, 1993-1994)

by Peter Falkenberg Brown, December 15, 1993

A life sentence without parole revolves around one simple question. Will the murderer kill again? This is a question of risk management. Beyond the opinions of countless experts lies the possibility that yes, the murderer will kill again. Because of this, the right of the murderer to be free pales in comparison to the rights of citizens to be alive. The calculation of risk must be weighted in favor of a citizen's right to live, and to not be murdered. Even a 1% risk makes parole unacceptable. more

Our National Purpose: America and the World of True Peace

Initially presented at the "Victory and Welcome Home Rally for the Troops" Sponsored by the Desert Storm Support Network

by Peter Falkenberg Brown, March 23, 1991

Today, many nations are at peace because of the contribution of America and other nations that served the world. However, we have not had a perfect record. It is always safe to say that we could have helped a people or a nation more than we did. The vital question at this time is, "What can America continue to do to help build a world of true peace?" more