"Jeremy Beer endorses local charities [in The Philanthropic Revolution: An Alternative History of American Charity], which can best further what he sees as the primary purpose of philanthropy, 'to increase opportunities for and strengthen the possibilities of authentic human communion.' In contrast, William MacAskill [in Doing Good Better] cuts ties with a charity focusing on… Read More
Tag: Bookshelf
Against Fairness
"Stephen T. Asma’s book is titled Against Fairness, but it doesn’t take too long for the reader to discover what he is for. Asma thinks we’ve neglected nepotism, favoritism, and particularity in our relationships and our moral reasoning. Our natural impulse to play favorites is, in his opinion, actively suppressed: children have to bring in… Read More
Why Priests?
"[In Why Priests? A Failed Tradition, Garry] Wills sees the pomp and circumstance of church as drawing our attention away from the God who became Man and directing it towards just one particular man, swathed in robes and standing front stage center. But when an actor puts on costuming and grease- paint, she does it to become… Read More
Philip Pullman’s Grimm Fairy Tales
"Why does God feel so far from the magical world? Fairy tales are, after all, not anarchic; there is a strong moral component to many stories (the virtuous third son succeeds where his vice-ridden brothers have failed; secret sins are revealed grotesquely). In addition to law, there is some kind of law keeper, since justice… Read More