59 pages • 1 hour read
Jay Allison, Dan GedimanThis I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women
Jay Allison, Dan GedimanNonfiction | Essay Collection | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Diversity in Contemporary Society
The United States of America was founded on ideals of pluralism and tolerance, and has accepted immigrants from all over the world. American culture is therefore a melting pot of different global cultures, religions, and lifestyles, all of which coexist under the protection of its legal system. The producers of the This I Believe radio shows and the co-editors of this volume were all committed to curating a collection of essays written by a wide range of diverse contributors to reflect the pluralism of American society and the diversity of the American public. The essays are written by authors from all walks of life. Although they all write with the same goal of defining their personal beliefs, the individual essays differ significantly in tone, message, and structure.
Writers of This I Believe essays are encouraged to write in their own register. Consequently, each essay bears the hallmarks of its writer’s unique linguistic and stylistic characteristics. An individual’s unique use of language—including vocabulary, syntax, and style—is called an idiolect. Idiolects reflect the social status, geographical location, educational background, and community ties of its speaker, among countless other characteristics and influences. When the essays were originally read over the radio, differences between the speakers would also have been apparent through variations in pronunciation, accent, and vocal quality.
Even though idiosyncrasies and divergences from the prescribed dialect of a language are typically less prominent in writing than speech, the wide differences in the idiolects of contributors are nonetheless evident in their essays. These linguistic differences are indicative of the extent of the diversity in contemporary society. For instance, Jane Hammil (103-105) writes in short sentences and makes frequent use of simple declarative statements. Andrew Sullivan (232-234) writes in long, multi-clausal sentences that make frequent use of rhetorical techniques like repetition and emotive language.
The life experiences described in the autobiographical narratives that are often included as part of the essays differ greatly between contributors. Some writers talk of experiences with poverty or bereavement, while others discuss their careers, or experiences with immigration or prejudice. Some writers choose to focus on family, or faith, or their own goals or vision for society. While some focus on their hopes for the future, others are preoccupied with the past, and others still extol the virtue of focusing on the present.
Even in instances where multiple contributors write on the same topic, they can have very different perspectives and beliefs. This is exemplified in the contrast between three essay titles: The God who Embraced Me, There is No God, and How Is It Possible to Believe in God?. The coexistence of such diverse viewpoints and priorities is quintessential pluralism, reflecting the diversity in contemporary American society.
The Influence of Personal Beliefs on Behavior
The essays in This I Believe provide evidence of the many ways that personal beliefs can and do influence a person’s behavior. Many of the contributors explain how pivotal events shaped them and led them to change their ideas and behavior, or how certain moral or philosophical principles guide them in their careers and daily lives.
Many contributors discuss how they pursued careers that grant them a sense of fulfillment, enabling them to act according to values or ideas that they especially value. Albert Einstein’s work as a physicist was motivated at least in part by his belief in “comic religiosity” and the wonder of uncovering the mysteries of the universe (58-61). Anthony Fauci works in disease control because he believes that he has a duty to serve humanity and to help eliminate the threats of AIDS (65-67). Activists such as Gloria Steinem and Margaret Sanger dedicate their lives to fighting social injustices in established systems.
Several contributors speak about how their religious beliefs (or lack thereof) inspire their outlooks and behavior. Helen Hayes writes about how she found comfort in turning to religion when her daughter became sick with polio, and writes about how she now incorporates Bible study into her daily life and approach to solving problems. Similarly, John W. Fountain writes about how discovering religious faith also enabled him to overcome hardship—in his case, the abandonment and death of his father. Penn Jillette takes an opposite point of view, arguing that it is his lack of religious faith that helps give his life purpose and meaning, as he channels his energies into trying to make the most of his present life instead of worrying about any potential afterlife.
Contributors like Helen Keller discuss how their moral values—such as their desire to do good and help others—motivate them to serve others whenever they can. Debbie Hall uses her expertise in psychology and desire to help others in her work as a mental health volunteer with the Red Cross, offering support to people traumatized by disasters. Such contributors often credit the inspiration for their good deeds to their personal belief in a broader ethical ideal, such as service, the importance of community, or acting in accordance with the moral dictates of their religious faith.
Thus, throughout This I Believe, various essays illustrate how personal beliefs and values shape the careers contributors pursue and the way they treat others in their daily lives. This strong link between belief and behavior reflects the emphasis on “belief” in the very title of the book and program, inviting readers to consider how their own beliefs influence what they do and why.
The Power of Autobiographical Narratives to Foster Empathy
A major aim shared by every iteration of This I Believe across radio programs, publications, and public engagement initiatives is to foster tolerance and understanding between disparate groups. This is sought by encouraging honest dialogues based around listening, mutual respect, and empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and identify with the circumstances, emotions, or experiences of another person. This I Believe draws upon the power of autobiographical narratives to foster empathy in readers and listeners.
The personal autobiographical narratives in This I Believe essays encourage the audience to consider other peoples’ life experiences and sympathize with them. By laying out how different experiences justify and motivate different perspectives, these essays demystify the origin of beliefs that might otherwise seem alien or incomprehensible to the reader/ listener. Understanding breeds empathy, and so these explications of the many and varied personal credos that combine to make the collective cultural values and social standards of America inspire greater insight and understanding among different groups.
The autobiographical narratives shared in this book are many and varied. The staff of the radio shows, and the co-editors of this volume, intentionally collected submissions from a diverse group of people from all walks of life. This diversity ensures that whatever the reader’s own way of life, they are all but guaranteed to have shared some but not all of the experiences described throughout the collection. The short biographical addendums to each essay provide further context for the professed opinions of the authors, and showcase the diverse array of lifestyles and experiences that coexist in society. This I Believe essays—whether broadcast or published—are an invitation to spend time immersing oneself in the life and perspective of different people.
Appendix B notes that many of the stories shared in This I Believe essays are centered around hardships such as death or illness. Allende, for example, discusses how the illness and death of her daughter was the catalyst for her own self-reflection and the crystallization of her commitment to giving (13-15). The author of Happy Talk (106-108) describes the manifold hardships he has endured, while Cook details the intense grief she suffered after the death of her fiancé (37-39). Such descriptions of suffering are meant to evoke pathos and sympathy. Although the exact experiences of these writers are not universal, death and hardship are inescapable parts of life. The emotions that accompany these personal narratives are often familiar, attempting to build a sense of connection between reader and writer, and ultimately fostering empathy.
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