A chapter-by-chapter explanation of the Book of Exodus, revealing its wisdom about nation building and people formation
Leon R. Kass Book order
This author is celebrated for his advocacy of liberal education through the "Great Books." His work deeply engages with critiques of technological advancements such as human cloning and life extension, as well as embryo research. By identifying as an "old-fashioned humanist," Kass challenges conventional notions of bioethics, offering a distinct perspective on ethics and human nature.
- 2022
- 2020
Leading a Worthy Life
- 416 pages
- 15 hours of reading
Most American young people, like their ancestors, harbor desires for a worthy life: a life of meaning, a life that makes sense. But they are increasingly confused about what such a life might look like, and how they might, in the present age, be able to live one. With a once confident culture no longer offering authoritative guidance, the young are now at sea - regarding work, family, religion, and civic identity. The true, the good, and the beautiful have few defenders, and the higher cynicism mocks any innocent love of wisdom or love of country. We are supercompetent regarding efficiency and convenience; we are at a loss regarding what it's all for. Yet because the old orthodoxies have crumbled, our "interesting time" paradoxically offers genuine opportunities for renewal and growth. The old Socratic question "How to live?" suddenly commands serious attention. Young Americans, if liberated from the prevailing cynicism, will readily embrace weighty questions and undertake serious quests for a flourishing life. All they (and we) need is encouragement. This book provides that necessary encouragement by illuminating crucial - and still available - aspects of a worthy life, and by defending them against their enemies. With chapters on love, family, and friendship; human excellence and human dignity; teaching, learning, and truth; and the great human aspirations of Western civilization, it offers help to both secular and religious readers, to people who are looking on their own for meaning and to people who are looking to deepen what they have been taught or to square it with the spirit of our times. -- Back cover
- 2006
Amidst contemporary debates on creationism, the exploration of Genesis offers a profound examination of its enduring relevance. Leon R. Kass delves into the text, revealing insights that resonate with both current discussions and timeless philosophical questions. The book serves as a thoughtful reflection on the intersection of faith, science, and human understanding, making it a significant read for those grappling with these complex themes.
- 1999
The Hungry Soul - Eating and the Perfecting of Our Nature
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
An exploration of the natural and cultural act of eating. The author reveals how the various aspects of this phenomenon, and the customs, rituals, and taboos surrounding it, relate to universal and profound truths about the human animal and its deepest yearnings.