The Soul of Civility: Flourishing Amid Deep Difference
As we find ourselves in the middle of a contentious election year, two timely books have been recently published which attempt to address the toxic divisiveness that has become endemic to our society. Alexandra Hudson’s The Soul of Civility is a beautifully written plea for retrieving the concept of civility in order to create a society in which we can “flourish amidst our deep differences.” Drawing upon the wisdom of the great religious traditions and philosophers across civilizations she surfaces timeless principles that can help heal our society. Hudson’s book is complemented by David Brooks’ How to Know a Person: The Art of Deeply Seeing Others and Being Deeply Seen in which Brooks draws from psychology and neuroscience as well as theater, philosophy, history, and education to present a welcoming, hopeful, integrated approach to human connection.
Join us for a discussion of these two important books led by Tom Petriano on Feb. 10th at 4:30. All are welcome.
Tom Petriano is Professor and Chair of Religious Studies at St. Joseph’s University where he teaches courses on the Brooklyn and Patchogue campuses.
