The Perfect Gift
The Philanthropic Imagination in Poetry and Prose
Published on 1. September 2002
Book
Hardback
440 pages
978-0-253-34131-0 (ISBN)
Description
An intriguing and inspiring collection of readings from many cultures, genres, and time periods. Classical literature, philosophy, and religion are well represented, but so are contemporary and popular writing. "The Perfect Gift" draws from the works of Aristotle, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, C.S. Lewis, Alexis de Tocqueville, Martin Luther King, P.G. Wodehouse, and Shel Silverstein, among others. Kass's thoughtful introductions guide reflection on when, why, how, to whom, and what we should give.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 159 mm
Weight
748 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-34131-0 (9780253341310)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Introduction I. Why Should I Give? 1. Genesis 4, The Offering of Cain; 2. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: "Generosity, Extravagance, and Stinginess"; 3. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America: Freedom and Utility; 4. George Eliot, "An Arresting Voice"; 5. O. Henry, "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen"; 6. C. S. Lewis, "Charity"; 7. P. G. Wodehouse, "Jeeves Takes Charge"; 8. William F. May, "The Prayers of Thanksgiving"; 9. Barry Schwartz, "The Social Psychology of Giving"; 10. Clifford Orwin, "Princess Diana and Mother Teresa: Compassion and Christian Charity"; 11. Elizabeth M. Lynn and D. Susan Wisely, "Toward a Fourth Philanthropic Response: American Philanthropy and its Public" II. How Should I Give? 1. Matthew 25:1?46, Three Parables; 2. Homer, The Odyssey: The Meeting of Nausikaa and Odysseus; 3. Moses Maimonides, "Eight Levels of Charity"; 4. Sarah Orne Jewett, "Spur of the Moment"; 5. Isaac Peretz, "Motl Prince"; 6. Jane Addams, "Charitable Effort"; 7. O. Henry, "The Chair of Philanthromathematics"; 8. Edith Wharton, "The Rembrandt"; 9. Rudyard Kipling, "The Record of Badalia Herodsfoot"; 10. Sylvia Warner, "A Work of Art"; 11. John Reed, "Another Case of Ingratitude"; 12. Gwendolyn Brooks, "The Lovers of the Poor" III. To Whom or For What Should I Give? 1. Genesis 25:19?34; 27?28:9, Parents and Children: The Case of Jacob and Esau; 2. Matthew 25:14?30, The Parable of the Talents; 3. William Shakespeare, Timon of Athens, Act I, Scene 1; 4. William H. McGuffey, "True and False Philanthropy"; 5. Andrew Carnegie, "The Gospel of Wealth"; 6. Henri Barbusse, "The Eleventh"; 7. Stephen Leacock, "Mr. Plumter, B. A., Revisits the Old Shop"; 8. Stephen Crane, "The Men in the Storm"; 9. Leon Kass, "Charity and the Confines of Compassion" IV. What Should I Give? 1. Luke 15:11?32, The Parable of the Prodigal Son; 2. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America: "Appendix U," The Pioneer Woman; 3. Sholom Aleichem, "Reb Yozifl and the Contractor"; 4. Rabindranath Tagore, "Gift"; 5. O. Henry, "The Gift of the Magi"; 6. Robert Frost, "The Death of the Hired Hand"; 7. Dorothy Parker, "Song of the Shirt, 1941"; 8. John O'Hara, "Memorial Fund"; 9. Eudora Welty, "Lily Daw and the Three Ladies"; 10. Lewis Hyde, "Some Food We Cannot Eat"; 11. Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie: "The Eighth Tuesday: We Talk About Money" V. Can Giving Be Taught? 1. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: "Moral Virtue and Habituation"; 2. Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Practice Makes Perfect?; 3. Woodrow Wilson, "Princeton for the Nation's Service"; 4. Pierre Mac Orlan, "The Philanthropist"; 5. Kenneth E. Kirk, Worship, Humility and Service; 6. Stephen Vincent Benet, "The Bishop's Beggar"; 7. Edward Holmes, "Town Office"; 8. His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, "Giving and Receiving: A Practical Way of Directing Love and Compassion"; 9. Elizabeth M. Lynn and D. Susan Wisely, "Only Reflect: A Philanthropic Education for Our Time"