fiction

This is a collection of brief speeches given the late Josef Pieper, one of the most popular Thomist philosophers of the last century. The topics addressed include work and leisure, music, seeing, sculpture, celebration, and contemplation.

The book's title is taken from St. Augustine's remark that "only he who loves can sing," and if there is an underlying theme to these occasional pieces it is that art and love, aesthetics and spirituality, cannot be divorced. A sample quote: "Contemplation is visual perception prompted by loving acceptance."

Due to their brevity, these essays can only be suggestive. But perhaps they may whet the reader's appetite for more substantial portions of Pieper's thoughtful yet accessible philosophizing.

This is an excellent book that allows for the integration of appeciating the aesthetic value of a piece of art, poetry, or music to meditation and contemplation. What is more, the value of this small book is tremendous in content and wisdom, integrating the thought of some of the most intellectual geniuses, such as: Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Kant, Nietzsche, and many others. For such a small piece of work, it carries a lot of value and significance, which can be applied to our daily lives.

This is a beautiful little book, actually a compil-
ation of lectures delivered at musical events and
openings. With references to the ancient philosophers,
it reminds us of the moral and spiritual force
of genuine "seeing" and "hearing." A learned series
of essays, but written in an accessible, and poetic, way.