“Soul of Civility” by Alexandra Hudson: Navigating the Essence of Civil Discourse

In an era marked by intense polarization and growing incivility, the quest for civil discourse becomes not just important but imperative. Alexandra Hudson’s book, “Soul of Civility,” shines a much-needed light on this subject. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the profound insights provided by Hudson and how they resonate in our contemporary society.

Alexandra Hudson: A Legacy of Respect

Alexandra Hudson, the daughter of the esteemed “Manners Lady,” was raised with a deep appreciation for respect. However, as she matured, she came to recognize that there exists a significant difference between mere politeness, a veneer of good manners, and the authentic, meaningful quality of true civility. This realization, rooted in her upbringing, serves as the foundation of her book.

Unveiling “Soul of Civility”

The book itself is a carefully crafted exploration of the art of civil discourse, delving into its intrinsic value and its vital role in our complex modern world. “Soul of Civility” takes its readers on a well-structured journey into the heart of civil discourse, challenging established ideas and prompting self-reflection.

Chapters Explored

Chapter 1: Unpacking the Intractable Nature of Civility:

Hudson delves into the seemingly intractable nature of the civility problem that has persisted throughout human history.

Chapter 2: Timeless Solutions to Human Self-Love:

The book explores how the solution to the enduring problem of excessive human self-love is equally timeless.

Chapters 3 to 9: Civility’s Role in a Thriving Democracy:

This section explores the “why” of civility, highlighting how it supports the seven crucial ingredients of any thriving democratic society—integrity, freedom, civil society, equality, civil disobedience, tolerance, and civil discourse—in a digital, technological era.

Chapters 10 to 12: Practical Applications of Civility:

These chapters elucidate how civility operates in practice, particularly through the lens of hospitality. Additionally, they offer insights on how we can promote more civility in our educational cultures, public life, communities, and homes.

A Call for Personal Transformation

In a world fraught with division, “Soul of Civility” emerges as a cornerstone work for our times. Alexandra Hudson challenges us to embrace civility as a catalyst for change and to recognize the power of our individual choices in shaping a society that thrives on respectful dialogue, constructive debate, and the pursuit of a truly civil and interconnected world.

Expanding the Discussion: “Civic Renaissance”

Alexandra Hudson’s commitment to civil discourse doesn’t stop with her book. She continues to explore these themes in her SubStack blog, “Civic Renaissance.” This blog serves as an extension of the conversations started in “Soul of Civility,” providing readers with a platform to dive deeper into the principles of civil discourse, respect, and personal transformation. It’s a valuable resource for those who wish to explore these topics in greater detail.

Check out the book here*!

*Affiliate link

When: Monday, October 9

Time: 12-3 EST

Online

Civility: Overrated or Underrated?

A gathering where the brightest minds and the most passionate voices come together to delve deep into the essence of civility.

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Register here.

Today, more than ever, we are confronted with disagreements and differences. How can we unite and find common ground?

The key may lie in understanding and embracing true civility.

Join Alexandra Hudson, the author of ‘The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves,’ as she engages with some of the greatest thinkers of our day from various political backgrounds and vocations to explore this question.

We’d be honored for you to join us for this dialogue.

Our speakers include:

Jonathan Haidt – New York Times Bestselling author and Thomas Cooley of Professor of Ethical Leadership at the New York University Stern School of Business on what the “soul” of civility actually is.

David French – New York Times Columnist and author of Divided We Fall on why civility, and not mere politeness, is foundational to helping us to navigate our divides.

Tyler Cowen – New York Times Bestselling author and founder of Marginal Revolution on why civility is necessary for freedom, flourishing, and democracy.

Francis Fukuyama – Stanford University professor on why social trust supports our democracy.

Yascha Mounk – Associate Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in Washington D.C. on why civility, grounded in human dignity, is indispensable for democracy.

Joel Stein – Former Humorist at TIME Magazine and author of In Defense of Elitism on why our lack of civility and intolerance of failure is necessary for creativity and humor.

Chloé Simone Valdary – Writer and founder of Theory of Enchantment on the role of pop culture, art, and beauty to revive civility, heal ourselves, and ennoble our broken world.

Kim Scott – Author of Radical Candor on the difference between civility and politeness.

John Wood Jr.– National Ambassador of Braver Angels on the unsung virtue of moderation, and lessons from history’s unsung hero of moderation, Erasmus of Rotterdam.

Russell Moore – Editor in Chief of Christianity Today, on the imago dei, why it’s the moral foundation to civility, and how it might help us to overcome our divisions today.

Mitch Daniels – Former Governor of Indiana.

George Will – Washington Post Columnist on why civility supports integrity, and why politeness and appearance matter less than a disposition of truly respecting others.

Daryl Davis – Musician, author, and actor.