David Brooks: Genius, God and Morality

Join New York Times Op Ed columnist David Brooks for a talk that's both uplifting and grounding, as he identifies the qualities that define moral geniuses—remarkable people who lived their lives in the real world, yet cultivated an inner life of admirable self-reflection and character development. What part does religious belief play in morality? Can you be a moral genius without faith in God?

[mofralojan]

There is something great being transmitted here. A valuable synopsis/act of synthesis. Thanx YouTube!

[mammietoe]

I love your thinking, David, I believe that you are one of the best.

[robertmcclintic]

I am a republican survivalist who believes in the highest moral principal as the only choice for a path forward in and I am deeply disappointed in the direction that the Republican Party has taken. David Brooks is a moral visionary who articulates a rational view of the character that will be required to perpetuate the multiplicity and ethnic citizenship required in our open and welcoming democracy.

[classicalsteve]

Maybe the most transcendent lecture ever offered by a political commentator and columnist. I'm floored.

[pferguson]

Intelligent and interesting speech on character.

[willmpet]

I have been a person who knows about George Marshall and respects him deeply. How he went from someone whose brother feared would embarrass them to somebody who was thought of as the very best one could be. He could have been head of that great invasion that was called Overlord to someone who respected his duty and stayed to support Roosevelt instead because of a sense of duty. He could have been Eisenhower but instead decided to stay in the roll that he had become-Chief of Staff of all of the US military. He gave of himself every part of his being!

[miketodd]

YOU ARE A GREAT MAN WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR BEYOND YOUR INTELLECT!

[DonnaBurke-pb]

Keeping up on the times very nicely.. thank you for having me.

[vincentjames]

He That Conquers His Own Soul
Is Greater Than
He That Takes The City

[jimbeam]

I'm Liberal, but I like this guy. If more conservatives were like him we could get somewhere in this country. 

[katerivera]

Full circle values shift.  Discarded stones become foundational.

[vinkoivomilicdiaz]

A regular on NPR all things considered, and with Mark Shields on the PBS NewsHour. Very interesting. #ThisIsNPR #PBSNEWS

[SusannaSaunders]

Thanks for another great talk! Are you able to give me a link to where I can find the Dorothy Day essay that is mentioned at 33:30?
Many thanks!

[davedemski]

Fantastic, deep, and inspiring lecture. Thanks David Brooks! You hit me in my soul.

[kitjohnson]

Brooks for president ! Wow, so helpful. Thank you David.

[AhojU]

Not to disparage this talk, which is very good. However, much of what is said is simply reflecting standard Judeo-Christian wisdom down through the ages - a distillation of the thoughts of theologians and saints brought to an increasingly secular society, perhaps hearing it for the first time. Thank you Mr. Brooks.

[stephaniedeprima]

...I am a life-long liberal Democrat, but David Brooks is a rational, and compassionate human being that calls himself a conservative...and if more Republicans were like him, then the GOP would be much more acceptible as a viable Party!

[veritas]

One doesn't have moral "dilemmas" if one knows right from wrong. Most do. Choosing to do the right thing instead of the wrong thing is just a matter of character. Or what used to be called backbone. The right thing may be the tougher thing to do. The wrong thing is usually taking the easy way out. But "dilemma" means there's some sort of quandary or confusion when in fact almost everyone knows what's the right thing to do in a given situation. The moral thing. . Having the character to do it is what matters.

[SY-jqyw]

Sin is internal and needs external redemption. Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

[francispena]

i was expecting this to be EXTREMELY BORING... but nope.... not a minute waisted here