Literary fiction can provide a powerful basis for reflecting on ethical values and the purpose of life:  Why are we here? What really matters? What obligations do we have to others?  We'll  explore how great authors are able to hold people up for us as jewels to the light, turning them around to show all of their facets, both blemished and pure, while at the same time pointing both to their internal glow beneath the surface and to the inspiration that moves them from beyond.

This talk is one session of two led by Scotty McLennan in the Contemplation By Design Summit. You are welcome to join one or both sessions. The second session will be a guided practice from 12:15-1:15pm titled Poetry of the Spirit, also offered on Sunday, October 26th and held in-person in Memorial Church. 

Scotty McLennan, JD, MDiv is a lecturer in political economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  He teaches courses at the intersection of business, ethics, law, spirituality and religion. He is a lawyer and Unitarian Universalist minister by background, and he served as Stanford’s Dean for Religious Life from 2000-2014.  He is the author of four books, including Finding Your Religion: When the Faith You Grew Up With Has Lost Its Meaning.

This session is part of the FREE Contemplation by Design Summit, Oct. 15-27, 2025.

The full summit schedule is posted at: https://med.stanford.edu/contemplation/summit.html.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stanford-contemplation-by-design-summit-2025-online-oct-15-27-registration-1520413249959