Monthly Archives: June 2023

This is a remarkable book. Not because the author tells us what is right and wrong but because he explains what it is to be human, what humans should be and the relationship between the two, according to the world’s greatest philosophers, theologians and moral thinkers over time. If you have ever wanted to better understand what Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Erasmus, Rousseau, Nietzsche, Mohammed, Marx, Lao Tzu, Hegel, Locke, Kant and Buddha to name a few were trying to say about who we are and how we should live, this is the book for you.

Malik exposes their contributions, contradictions, strengths and weaknesses in layman language using well reasoned argument and humour to get at the way they saw how humans are and the way (at least some of them) thought we ought to be. The way we think about moral issues has changed over time due to social change, history and different cultural perspectives. Think about the moralistic changes you have seen in your own lifetime. We are polarized between those that subscribe to rules based morals as in the monotheistic religions and those what believe we can get at what is right and wrong by using reason and science. Another trending view is that there is no objective moral code at all and that all morals are simply a matter of personal “preference”.

And he writes this book in a way as you read it you think, OK this is his favorite thinker e.g., Hegel, wow. But then he goes on in equally exuberant detail about the next thinker e.g, Nietzche only to expose his limitations and shortcomings too. Malik has no favorite thinker it seems – it is the depth and breadth of his coverage which is simply amazing.

In reading this book I discovered a couple of interesting subjects I wish to follow up on. The first is that of the largest successful slave rebellion the world has ever seen led by Toussaint L’Ouverature in 1696 Santo Domingo (Haiti). A book written years ago about this subject is now high on my list to read: The Black Jacobins. Author Malik says this rebellion was the kernel of anti-colonialism still unfolding today and is as equally as important as the French and American revolutions.

A more recent subject Malik addresses was a book written about dozen years ago entitled When China Rules the World. According to the author Martin Jacques, China is a “civilization” not a nation state, is firmly grounded in its history, has the world’s most competent government with the strongest support and has very different views of how “democracy” should work. We tend to judge China using our western lens assuming that it will become more western. Not true according to the book’s author. It is the world that will become more Chinese as China (and India) assume more global leadership and control in the not too distant future. Perhaps China is not the rogue state we have been led to believe it is. Intriguing indeed.

Just a couple of examples of how stimulating and enjoyable a read this was for me. I rate The Quest for a Moral Compass 5 full stars and will likely read it again.

In June 2013, I walked the first 200 km of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques (St. James Way) from Le Puy to Conques in France. It was more difficult than our first Camino de Santiago in Spain on account of the hilly terrain plus I was now … 3 years older. This route, also called the GR 65 – is part of the long distance walking route Grand Randonnée network and part of the European long distance paths. Sometimes I think I was born on the wrong continent since I love walking so much.

I picked up my credential booklet at the magnificent Cathedral in Le Puy. It identifies the carrier as a bona fide pilgrim entitled to stay in the various gites d’etape (equivalent to the refugios in Spain).

I also purchased a copy of an excellent Michelin map book with suggested daily walking goals for this route, as well as the Miam Miam Dodo guide book to eating and sleeping.

So there I was all ready and anxious to head out on a 10 day walking adventure. I attended the early morning pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral in front of the Black Madonna and then said goodbye to Marie over pastry. I started hiking up the steep hillside leading out of Le Puy with pauses to catch my breath.

I remember gasping for air as I continued to climb out of Le Puy. This was going to be a tough one I thought. Not sure if I am going to be able to complete this. It is the familiar ring of doubt one feels everyday on a long hike such as this. I was carrying my pack on my back but already thinking it was too heavy. However, I was soon to be rewarded with some of the most gorgeous scenery anywhere France – the central rural plateau region.

Here are a few pictures of my very first day.

I managed to make it that day to a small town called Montbonnet, a distance of about 16 km and checked into my first gite d’etape (pronounced jeet deh tap). There were 7 other pilgrims there, all women as you can see below!

I had completed my first day safely but was feeling very exhausted. Thanks be to God!

Le Puy-en-Velay (le pwee) is a mythical city of 18,000 located in south central France. It is one of the oldest Christian settlements there having been established by St. George in the 4th century AD. Le Puy’s most striking attraction is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy dating from the 12th century. It is also the founding place of the Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation in 1650. And for hundreds of years, a major starting point for pilgrims on the Chemin de St. Jacques (St. James Way) all the way to Santiago de Compostella in Spain 1600 km away. Ten years ago now Marie and I were blessed to go on pilgrimage to Le Puy.

The occasion was a workshop on Jean-Pierre Medaille’s Eucharistic Letter to the Sisters of St. Joseph which resulted in the founding of their Little Design way of life lay communities around the world. Sister Rosemary O’Toole, CSJ of the Upper Room House of Prayer in Nepean, Canada, led the workshop. Marie, being a “little designer”, was invited to attend and I, Dave tagged along. The story of the Eucharistic Letter is told in Sr Rosemery’s beautiful video that follows.

Sister Rosemary has just published a booklet entitled the Little Design Communities: A Way of Life for All Persons.

We were taken aback by the magnificent monuments and majesty of Le Puy: the ancient cathedral where a pilgrim Mass is celebrated each morning in front of the Black Madonna; the towering statue of Notre Dame de France (The Virgin Mary) overlooking the town; the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguille perched high on a rock spire; the small twisted hilly streets and a marketplace where women weave fine lace products.

The Sisters of St Joseph International Centre was a very comfortable place to stay overlooking the city. We were welcomed by a sister from Goa as well as two American sisters. They and their staff were charged with welcoming visitors, hospitality and operations. There was a main lodge, a guest house, kitchen, dining and meeting room facilities as well as a small chapel. There were sheep in the fenced yard next door that we could hear bleating. How lucky were we to stay in such a pastoral place!

The next day Marie started her Eucharistic Letter program with Sister Rosemary and other participants from Canada, the USA , France and elsewhere. After breakfast at a small cafe, Dave said his goodbyes, attended the pilgrim Mass and then headed out for 10 days solo hiking on the Camino de Saint-Jacques.

Buen Camino!