Category: David Brooks

The Two Adams

On By scottpetersenIn David Brooks, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, The Lonely Man of FaithLeave a comment

[A repeat from March 30, 2017] I just finished the book – The Lonely Man of Faith by Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik.  This wonderful text examines two separate and quite divergent characterizations of Adam which are set forth in the Old Testament book of Genesis.  The two Adams are different indeed.

In Genesis 1, Adam I (and Eve) are created in God’s image.  Adam is charged to take dominion over fish, fowl, cattle and all of the earth, to multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it.  

In Genesis 2, Adam II is formed from dust, has life breathed into his nostrils – and is ordered to tend the garden.  Eve was later formed from Adam’s rib.   

I was drawn to this book by David Brooks’ thought-provoking 5 minute “Ted Talk” on the personality differences between “Adam I” and “Adam II”    http://www.ted.com/talks/david_brooks_should_you_live_for_your_resume_or_your_eulogy

Brooks does not reference Genesis but he does discuss Soloveitchik’s work.  Brooks offers that Adam I is motivated by his resume virtues.  Adam II is driven by eulogy virtues.  And guess which virtues Brooks finds of superior importance?  

I was unaware of the sharp differences of Adam in Genesis.  Rabbi Soloveitchik’s book – apart from using words which will require a dictionary at hand – is a fascinating and inspirational read. And it offers reason to strive to enhance our eulogy virtues . . . .  

The Road to Character

On By scottpetersenIn David Brooks, The Road to CharacterLeave a comment

[A summer repeat from October 1, 2015]
In my post of January 26, 2012, I offered a few classic quotations on character.  When I was tutoring, each week I would put a “character” quotation on a 3″ x 5″ card for my student(s).   To me, the reading, writing and arithmetic are all important.  But developing character is just as important.  Perhaps more.  For students, friends, family and politicians. 

I just finished David Brooks wonderful work The Road to Character.  Brooks opens with reference to the end of World War II — a victory of epic proportion.  He observes that our parents and grandparents did not go around telling each other how great they were.  The collective impulse was to warn themselves against pride.  And self-glorification.  But Brooks observes that there has been a shift in ensuing generations.  From a culture of humility to a culture of I am the center of the universe.  Brooks calls it “The Big Me.”  Fame and fortune used to rank low as life’s core ambitions.  Today, those goals have skyrocketed to the top.  Yet the Left pushes to censor the teaching of virtue, character and integrity in schools.

The word “sin” was always a moral tug that helped remind us that life is a moral affair.  But as Brooks comments “When modern culture tries to replace ‘sin’ with ideas like error or insensitivity, or tries to banish words like ‘virtue’ ‘character’ ‘evil’ and ‘vice’, it doesn’t make life any less moral.  It just means that we have obscured the inescapable moral core of life with shallow language . . . and we become increasingly blind to the moral stakes of everyday life.”

The Road to Character

On By scottpetersenIn David Brooks, The Road to CharacterLeave a comment

In my post of January 26, 2012, I offered some of the great quotations on character.  When I was tutoring, each week I would put a quotation on a 3″ x 5″ card for the student(s).  Each related to character.  To me, the reading, writing and arithmetic are all important.  But developing character is just as (more?) important.  For students, friends, family, strangers and politicians. 

I just finished David Brooks wonderful work The Road to Character.  Brooks opens with reference to the end of World War II — a victory of epic proportion.  He observes that our parents and grandparents did not go around telling each other how great they were.  The collective impulse was to warn themselves against pride.  And self-glorification.  But Brooks observes that we have seen a shift in ensuing generations from a culture of humility to a culture of I am the center of the universe.  Brooks calls it “The Big Me.”  Fame and fortune used to rank low as life’s core ambitions.  Today, those goals have skyrocketed to the top.  And your government now censors the teaching of virtue, character and integrity in schools.

The word “sin” was the moral tug that helped remind us that life is a moral affair.  But as Brooks comments “When modern culture tries to replace ‘sin’ with ideas like error or insensitivity, or tries to banish words like ‘virtue’ ‘character’ ‘evil’ and ‘vice’, it doesn’t make life any less moral.  It just means that we have obscured the inescapable moral core of life with shallow language . . . and we become increasingly blind to the moral stakes of everyday life.”