Lessons from the Amish

In the Spring 2010 issue of the College of Wooster's alumni magazine, there is a very engaging article about the work of two of their professors- one of sociology and one of anthropology. The two have spent the last seven years interviewing and coming to know their local Amish community in depth; and have just published a book on the subject: "The Amish Paradox" detailing much of what they have learned in their seven years of study.

What I find most intriguing is the Amish value of 'gelassenheit', and how it has preserved their culture, and shaped their economy. This value essentially places G-d first, community second, and leaves self-interests last. It is in effect, a cultural value that orders something very close to a Distributist society, in my view.

But don't take my word for it- please read the article. When you click on the link, it will take you to an online copy of the magazine-you can 'turn' pages of the magazine; the article starts on pages 12/13.

pax, caritas, et bonum.