What is the significance of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address? Is it a funeral oration, a victory speech, a policy pitch, or something more? Was Lincoln’s purpose to break with a tainted national past, or to redefine it? “Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address” will explore Lincoln’s interpretation of the American Founding, his understanding of the war as a test of that Founding, and the meaning of his appeal to all Americans to rededicate themselves to the “great task remaining” of perpetuating self-government....
Is the rule of the majority the heart of democracy? Or must the will of the majority be tempered by other considerations to fulfill the requirements of just government? Was the slavery question a territorial, political, racial, or moral question—or all combined? “Abraham Lincoln and the Slavery Question” will explore Lincoln’s constitutional approach to the problem of slavery in America and his response to the opposing arguments of the day....
What obligations and powers do American presidents have to protect and preserve both the nation and its political institutions? How should presidents understand their duty both to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” and to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution?” “Abraham Lincoln, Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief” will explore what tensions exist between these two roles, and how Lincoln as a wartime president navigated the demands that a representative democracy places on its elected leader....
What do we owe our neighbors and fellow citizens? Reflect on the need for the virtue of compassion and civic attitudes toward our neighbors as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Herman Melville’s story with Wilfred M. McClay....
Why do ordinary citizens risk their lives for their country? Explore the virtue of courage and how it can be cultivated, especially among self-interested citizens oriented toward the pursuit of their own happiness, as editors Amy A. Kass and Leon R. Kass discuss Michael Shaara’s story with Eliot A. Cohen. ...
How can one inspire courage and self-sacrifice? Examine the role of honor and duty in inspiring men to fight as editors Amy A. Kass and Leon R. Kass discuss George S. Patton’s speech with Eliot A. Cohen. ...
Is the commercial spirit good for civic virtue? Consider the status of virtue in a democratic society devoted to gain and self-interest as editors Amy A. Kass and Leon R. Kass discuss Mark Twain’s story with David Brooks.
What kind of equality should we care about? Examine the difference between equality of outcome and equality of opportunity as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s story with James W. Ceaser.
What should we think of self-reliant, enterprising, risk-taking individuals? Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of American individualism and independence as editors Amy A. Kass and Leon R. Kass discuss Jack London’s story with William Schambra.
What kind of religious beliefs and practices support civic freedom and virtue? Compare two guiding ideas of the American republic—the pursuit of happiness and the spirit of reverence—as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story with Yuval Levin.
Can the giving of thanks be commanded by governmental authority? Consider the role of government in our private and religious lives, and the connection between our public and our private blessings as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation with Christopher DeMuth.
What links the spirit of giving and the holiday of Thanksgiving? Reflect on the best ways of giving and receiving, and the place of philanthropy or charity in our public life as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss O. Henry’s story with Christopher DeMuth.
Does our obligation to uphold the law admit of exceptions? Debate the elementary civic virtue of law-abidingness and the appropriateness of civil disobedience as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Susan Glaspell’s story with Christopher DeMuth. ...
What tasks must a republic—a system of government based on popular rule—fulfill to be and to remain healthy and successful? What is the greater challenge of statesmanship—founding a new political order, or maintaining and preserving one? “Lincoln and the Reframing of America” will explore how Lincoln sought to answer these questions in light of cultivating a reverence for the rule of law and a popular attachment to the American regime....
Of what use is the American flag in promoting national attachment? Explore the meaning of the flag as a symbol of the nation as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Willa Cather’s story with William Schambra.
Why do people need national identity and attachment? Explore the meaning and significance of national identity in general and American identity in particular as editors Amy A. Kass and Leon R. Kass discuss Edward Everett Hale’s story with Wilfred M. McClay.
What personal virtues are necessary for a self-governing people? Consider the virtues of self-command and self-respect as editors Amy A. Kass, Leon R. Kass, and Diana Schaub discuss Benjamin Franklin’s story with Wilfred M. McClay.
