59 pages • 1 hour read
This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women
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Index of Terms
American Dream
The American Dream refers to the ideological belief that the USA is a land of opportunity and equality where anyone can achieve upward mobility through hard work and determination, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. It is often associated with the American Declaration of Independence, particularly the line that all men are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” although the specific phrase “the American Dream” was first coined in James Truslow Adams’s 1931 book The Epic of America. The specific characteristics of the American Dream as well as the general public attitude towards it have varied over the course of American history, and the concept is sometimes criticized for ignoring the systemic issues, such as poverty and racism, that can seriously hinder social mobility. The American Dream features prominently—either explicitly or implicitly—in many of the essays presented in this book.
CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS)
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly referred to as CBS, is an American commercial broadcasting network founded in 1927. The original 1950s This I Believe radio program hosted by Edward R. Murrow—from which a number of essays featured in this book were sourced—was broadcast on the CBS network. The founder and then-CEO of CBS, William S. Paley, was one of the four men who came up with the plan for the This I Believe radio program at a business lunch in 1949.
Dogma
A dogma is any belief which is considered absolute and unreformable by its believers. Typical examples include moral codes and religious doctrines. Often, and particularly in organized religion, dogmas are prescribed by an authority—for instance, a holy book or religious leader/institution—with the expectation that followers will accept it uncritically and without question. Even within relatively free societies, espoused belief in and adherence to the tenets of a dogma are enforced among its “in-group” through social pressure and psychological manipulation.
Advice on writing a This I Believe essay in Appendix B warns against writing an essay based on dogma. This is likely because the regurgitation of a prescribed dogma would be antithetical to the type of introspective, thoughtful, and individualistic expression of belief looked for in a This I Believe essay. Additionally, since dogma is an unmalleable and unshakable set of beliefs, it does not lend itself well as a topic of respectful and open debate between people of different faiths or convictions, which is a major goal of This I Believe.
Feminism
The term “feminism” has been used with slightly different connotations and nuances since the 19th century, but at its core feminism is a belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. It also refers to the social and political movement advocating for the rights of women, and the social theory that the removal of legal and social restrictions on women is necessary to achieve equality for both sexes in private and public life, for the general good of all. Feminism features significantly in the credos and experiences of several contributors to this book, including Eve Ensler (62-64), Jane Hammil (103-105), and Margaret Sanger (210-213).
National Public Radio (NPR)
National Public Radio, often referred to as NPR, is a nonprofit American media organization established by the United States Congress. The organization’s goal is to create a better-informed public by working in collaboration with member stations to provide high-quality radio programming. The 2000s revival of the This I Believe radio program hosted by Jay Allison—from which the majority of the essays featured in this book were sourced—was hosted on the NPR network.
Pluralism
Pluralism refers to a society which tolerates multiple religious, ethnic, or cultural groups in its population. It can also denote the condition wherein a diverse array of views or lifestyles are preferred over one single approach. Pluralism has long been a defining characteristic of the United States of America, which is a melting pot of different cultures, and a nation founded on principles of social and religious tolerance. Pluralism is also key to the message and mission of This I Believe, which aims to showcase different perspectives and beliefs in order to promote understanding and tolerance.
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