Love, Love, Love: Light Reflections on Love, Life and Death
by Charles Taliaferro
Published by Cowley Publications
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
Minnesota's St. Olaf College professor of philosophy, Charles Taliaferro, has written 43 essays that he divided into three groups:
1. Divine Love in Ordinary Times--a theme of friendship and compassion from personal events
2. Divine Love in Politics and Culture--about today's events
3. Divine Love--personal but not unique or isolated, such as illness and death of a parent
Taliaferro's favorite essayist is G. K. Chesteron, who noticed and wrote about the commonplace--and that these things could be the start of a meditation on a deeper meaning. Often the author uses his philosophy background to tie today's world to the renowned philosophers.
The author explains that he has written the essay "in situ," meaning they are occasioned by a specific event that is odd or embarrassing. Sounds like everyone's life, doesn't it? But he wrote them down.
Taliaferro finds humor and poignancy in every-day happenings--like when he developed a very serious infection from a splinter and the care that hand (which took on a life of its own) had. He writes about all the people who held that hand, even when it looked gross. That simple act of holding his hand he relates to the Garden of Eden, and that Adam and Eve distanced themselves, however after the "Fall," they find hope for healing only after they again hold hands.
He tells many stories, one about getting a dog he dotes on (don't we all?) Or, about losing a dear friend and mentor who taught and supported him. He reminds us of the need to "remember the joy" and find the appropriate humor of things since the September 11th's tragedy.
On the Divine Love in Politics and Culture section, he writes that ethics means our own moral reflection begins when we weigh reasons for and against our own position. He believes that politeness is needed in politics and certain talk shows--because politeness reflects a deep understanding of the value and dignity of each person.
You may even find your own "in situ" within his writings.
Armchair Interviews says: Whether on this side or the other (heaven), it's important to say the world LOVE a lot. So here goes ...Love, Love, Love--is a thoughtful book with stories that will touch you.