The Beginning of Wisdom

by Leon R Kass

This is the best example of social conservatism as an intellectual exercise that I’ve seen. It’s a close reading of the Book of Genesis, but it’s not a dogmatic reading; it’s really not even a theological reading. It tries to tease out an understanding of society, and especially family life. It’s a reflection on the human meaning of family life, and how that leads into social life. It’s a kind of check against libertarianism, against radical individualism. It argues that libertarianism, even at its very best, can’t be sufficient to our understanding of society.