Winona Public Library Reads discussion

WPL's Book Discussion will meet Wednesday, June 3rd at 2PM via Zoom to discuss The Second Mountain by David Brooks. Participants must register at winona.lib.mn.us to receive the Zoom Link.

Book Discussion Questions:

1. What did you think of the book overall?

2. Is there a particular part that stands out to you more than others? Why?

3. Let’s talk about the key ideas in the book. Key Idea #1: Individualism undermines our social connections. The first part of the book talks a lot about individualism. How do you feel about individualism and how it affects our society?

4. Key Idea #2: A lack of social connections leads to widespread societal problems. People who take an individualistic approach tend to more lonely and tend to distrust your neighbors. Do you agree that having a lack of social connections can lead to widespread societal problems? In what ways do you see some of those societal problems?

5. Key Idea #3: The freedom of individualism makes many people feel adrift, leading them to focus on the pursuit of material success. “People are climbing the first mountain: the mountain of worldly success. Climbing the first mountain gives people a sense of purpose and direction, but it’s an unreliable path to fulfillment that ultimately comes at a great cost.” - Life Club. Do you agree that individualism leads people to pursue material success. Why?

6. Key Idea #4: The pursuit of material success eventually hits a dead end. This is when you hit the peak of your first mountain and end up in the valley between the first and second mountains. What are some things that cause a person to hit the peak or end of their first mountain? How does one navigate through the valley between the first and second mountains to begin climbing the second?

7. Key Idea #5: As an ultimate goal of life, happiness is a flawed objective.  “There’s a smallness to a life lived in service to the self, while there’s a grandness to one lived in service to others.” -Life Club. Take for example, a job promotion, this makes you happy as an individual. Then think of what Mother Teresa did by providing aid to thousands in India. Would you rather see yourself happy or help to make others happy? Why?

8. Key Idea #6: Instead of self-centered success and happiness, a life of service leads to self-transcendence and joy. This is where happiness is less permeant than joy. Joy is a long lasting emotional state. Can you name some ways that you could feel joy over happiness?

9. Key Idea #7: Living a life of service requires hard work, and a love for humanity alone is not enough to pull you through. Take for example serving meals at homeless shelter. The work itself is tough but so isn’t the emotional impact of watching so many go through a hardship. Can you think of other examples where a service is tough but the emotional impact is tougher?

10. Key Idea #8: A life of service requires commitment, as can be seen in the context of marriage. Can you think of ways your marriage has required commitment or a service that you're involved in requires commitment?

11. Key Idea #9: Pursuing a vocation is another way to live a life of service, and it requires commitment as well. A job is something you get paid for doing. A vocation is something you have a passion for doing. What vocations have you pursued outside of having a career or job?

12. Key Idea #10: Practicing religion is yet another way to live a life of service. Practicing religion builds a sense of community and gives examples of a life filled with joy. Do you agree with the author?

13. Key Idea #11: Secular community-building provides a non-religious alternative path to living a life of service. The author talks about how communities are crumbling but how living a life of service in your own community can help rebuild it. Brooks uses the term “weavers.” These are people who have dedicated their lives to community-centered service. In a way, they are weaving their communities back together. What are some ways or opportunities in our community that you can see bringing us together?


Key ideas and examples were gathered using The Second Mountain by David Brooks and LifeClub.org.