Recent Reads

Recent Reads

The following books have been subjects of PJ’s Book Club in recent months.  Though the discussions of them are now past, all are recommended reading for those who wish to understand more about ourselves and the world in which we live.

 

PJ’s Book Club reviewed Jonathan Haidt’s tome “The Happiness Hypothesis” on September 27, 2017

PJ writes: A book club I coordinate recently read this volume and (for the first time ever) all twelve participants in the follow-up discussion group gave my selection a hearty ‘thumbs up’!! Haidt seamlessly weaves the insights of modern psychology and ancient philosophy/theology together into a compelling unified narrative — allowing readers to better understand our ‘purpose within life’. Our group particularly appreciated the author’s willingness to admit that he doesn’t have all the answers, and could — in fact — learn from others’ perspectives on the ethics of autonomy, community and divinity. Haidt’s work is an echo across the ages of a saying attributed to 18th century theologian Alexander Chalmers — that the Grand Essentials of Life are “something to do, someone to love and something to hope for.”