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New Book by Kenan Senior Fellow Encourages Hope in Troubled Times

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On January 15, 2025, Kenan Institute for Ethics held a launch event for the Kenan Senior Fellow Norman Wirzba’s new book “Love’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of  Crisis.”

Love's Braided Dance panelists
Panelists at the book launch for ”Love’s Braided Dance” pose after the event at the Ahmadieh Family Lecture Hall in Smith Warehouse. From left to right: Brian McAdoo, Polly Ha, Norman Wirzba, and Abdullah Antepli.

In this book, Wirzba seeks to reframe the concept of hope at a time when many are skeptical of it through a multidisciplinary lens of theology, philosophy, ecology, and agrarian and environmental studies. The event featured panelists Abdullah Antepli, Polly Ha, and Brian McAdoo, who offered their responses on the book and how it relates to their fields.

“You don’t have hope; it’s not like a vaccine or medicine you can take. Hope begins with the question: What do you love? It grows when you work with others to activate that love.”

— Norman Wirzba

Wirzba makes the point that while there is no magic formula for hope, there are strong foundations that can foster hope — caring for others, finding a sense of belonging, and acting on the things that we love.

You can read Kirstin Khire’s recap of the event for Duke Today here.

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