Nikki Stern’s first book, Because I Say So: the Dangerous Appeal of Moral Authority, explored a cultural standard of unequivocal moral certainty through the lens of her experience as a 9/11 widow. Her newest book, Hope in Small Doses, was released this spring and takes a natural next step in exploring how hope might be sustained, even in the wake of tragedy and uncertainty. Following her husband’s death on 9/11, Nikki challenged herself to find meaning, even as–especially as–a skeptic. Combining research and reflection, she’s arrived at a version of hope that thrives not on certainty, but on possibility.
This week also has A Moment of Science with Dan, who talks about the evolution of morality.