... to Richard Dawkins, “The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.” But are both sides able to see only what they expect to see? While creationism is not easy to square...

... to an external purpose. Her discussion of power-with explores how to facilitate such a group, that is, how to utilize the power of hierarchy and structure with minimal violence to any of its members. Power-with, as described by Mary Parker Follett, who coined the term, is “jointly developed power, a co...

... pursuit. O Aristotle understood happiness, what he called eudemonia, as a flourishing of life, a sense of accomplish­ ment and fulfillment. The key to eudemonia as I understand it is cultivating love, purpose, and meaning. Happiness is a national...

...) that most align human existence scienceT and spirituality exist as an integrated way of looking at with the perceived purposes of the life force that animates the how and why the universe works the way it does; dangerous, be­ universe. It is this “higher authority” to which we appeal when cause...

.... And here is the glad surprise: as a racehorse yearns to run, humans yearn to move toward their higher nature. Deep down, we know our purpose. We want to touch deep values. We love to feel compassion. Stories of integrity, equality, courage, and shared sacrifice stir us. Since most Americans identify...

... to say about this one sector of our culture, but, more importantly, because education in many ways instantiates the root metaphors that guide and structure how we think about the purposes of human life and social relationships. What we have to say about education...

... the term to refer to those who 2006. consciously reject theism and any form of supernaturalism. Of course there are volumes to be said about what constitutes “theism” and “naturalism,” but for our purposes, I’m...

..., and dynamics makes it all the more elusive and resistant to crossbred ideologies, particularly when the ideologies being combined were designed for other purposes (for control and certainty in the physical realm; for faith, inspiration and ethics in the spiritual realm). Unfortunately, despite a universal...

... aim — the desire to be of value for oneself and others — in ourselves. Its universal presence is consistent with all the evidence. We believe that once the metaphysical prohibition of including purpose in the world of physics is given up, it will be possible to understand all things as purposive...

..., or raise much-needed funds for her school, students who brought in twenty dol­ the search for meaning and purpose,” the author writes. lars would be awarded twenty test credits. Students could...

...” by assuming that it refers to outbursts like “Goddamit!” In fact, the commandment is a radical hedge against the politicization of divinity for human purposes—perhaps not unlike saying “God bless America.”) The “name” given to Moses proclaims, in essence: I am a God whom neither Pharaoh nor you can...

... life. Embezzling his own life! What does it mean to embezzle one’s own life? The Wikipedia description of embezzlement, which seems as good as any, reads, “Embezzlement is the act of dishonestly withholding assets for the purpose of theft by an individual to whom such assets have been entrusted...

... the book provides a powerful countervision to the desiccated, depersonalized, alienating experience that pervades so much of the learning culture of schools today. It suggests that, more than anything, the purpose of teaching (in their case, teaching English) is nothing less than to evoke and animate...

... For specific purposes, the knower may make use of an in­ an of use make may knower the purposes, specific...

... it. What I suggest, sir, is this: When weighing policy decisions ask yourself, “Will this enhance our capacity to cultivate love, purpose, and meaning? Is it in service to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?” If the answer is yes, then promote it. But if the answer is no, please, sir...

... come alive. We can see their purpose and meaning in their ancient historical context. These radical economic laws call for: No interest on loans to members of the covenant (fellow-Israelites). People who have enough, or more than enough, are not allowed to profit from the desperation...

... for the Earth. This isn’t just a slogan, but a movement for building that reality. You can’t fight the longing for higher meaning and purpose in life, or the desire for community and connection. Many of these fundamentalist communities not only talk about these needs, but actually deliver—though only...

..., military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, the blockade of Gaza, and the flotilla episode have caused many Jews to feel increasingly remote from Israel as a moral or spiritual center for their lives. Once again the question of Jewish purpose...

... connections with others, and a community of meaning and purpose often feel driven to the margins. Many people feel they have to keep to themselves how alienated they feel under our current political and social systems. It is no coincidence...

... of adult supervision, this is a time of constantly “To everything there is a renegotiated privilege and limit. No small wonder that Judaism launches this phase season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven with a great celebration—bar...