The American Soul: Founding Ideals and the American Dream

In The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders, Jacob Needleman writes, "America is a philosophical identity composed of ideas of freedom, liberty, independent thought, independent conscience, self-reliance, hard work, justice. That is both the weakness and strength of America. To love America is not to love one's roots - it is to love the flower that has not yet blossomed, the fruit as yet unripened." In order to deepen our conversation about the American story, Needleman urges attention to iconic figures such as Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Walt Whitman, who remind us of those founding ideals which may still inspire our actions today. We must, he says, "remythologize the idea of America." But how? Join Professor Needleman and the Reverend Scotty McLennan as they explore the visions and values which gave birth to the American dream.