On the Unseriousness of Human Affairs: Teaching, Writing, Playing, Believing, Lecturing, Philosophizing, Singing, Dancing

by James V. Schall

Overview

In this wise and witty book, acclaimed author James Schall illuminates a fundamental truth that will shock ceaselessly busy and ambitious Americans: human affairs are unserious.

Following Plato, Schall shows why singing, dancing, playing, contemplating, and other "useless" human activities are not merely forms of escape but also indications of the freedom in and for which men and women were created. The joy that accompanies leisure, festivity, and conviviality, he demonstrates, gives us a glimpse of the eternal. On the Unseriousness of Human Affairs offers a vital message that is truly countercultural.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610170253
Publisher:	Skyhorse Publishing
Publication date:	01/15/2012
Edition description:	1
Pages:	205
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

James V. Schall, S.J., (1928-2019) was a professor of government at Georgetown University and the author of many books, including Another Sort of Learning, The Order of Things, and A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Chapter 1 Luderce Est Contemplari: On the Unseriousness of Human Affairs 1

Chapter 2 On Teaching and Being Eminently Teachable 15

Interlude I On the Fate of Academic Men 29

Chapter 3 Truth and the College of Your Choice 33

Chapter 4 On the Education of Young Men and Women 43

Interlude II Contemplata Tradere 59

Chapter 5 On the Mystery of Teachers I Never Met 63

Interlude III Order 83

Chapter 6 On Intellectual Poverty 87

Chapter 7 On Wasting the Best Years of Our Lives 97

Interllude IV Self-Discipline 107

Chapter 8 On the Teaching of Political Philosophy 111

Chapter 9 On the Pleasure of Walking about Derby 125

Interlude V The End of all Things 135

Chapter 10 A Last Lecture: On Essays and Letters 139

Chapter 11 Philosophy: Why What Is Useless Is the Best Thing about Us 149

Conclusion 165

Appendix 169

Notes 171

Bibliography 179

Index 185