All Things Shining：Reading the Western Classics to Find Meaning in a Secular Age

“Whatconstituteshumanexcellence?”and“Whatisthebestwaytolivealife?”Thesearequestionsthathumanbeingshavebeenaskingsincethebeginningoftime.Intheircriticallyacclaimedbook,AllThingsShining,HubertDreyfusandSeanDorranceKellyarguethatoursearchformeaningwasoncefulfilledbyourresponsivenesstoforcesgreaterthanourselves,whetheroneGodormany.Theseforcesdrewusinandimbuedtheordinarymomentsoflifewithwonderandgratitude.DreyfusandKellyargueinthisthought-provokingworkthataswebegantorelyonthepowerofourownindependentwillwelostourskillforencounteringthesacred.ThroughtheiroriginalandtransformativediscussionofsomeofthegreatestworksofWesternliterature,fromHomer’sOdysseytoMelville’sMobyDick,DreyfusandKellyrevealhowwehavelostourpassionateengagementwiththethingsthatgaveourlivespurpose,andshowhow,byreadingourculture’sclassicsanew,wecanonceagainbedrawnintointenseinvolvementwiththewonderandbeautyoftheworld.Wellonitswaytobecomingaclassicitself,thisinspirationalbookwillchangethewayweunderstandourculture,ourhistory,oursacredpractices,andourselves.