On Being Human

Name: On Being Human
Author: Woodrow Wilson

By Woodrow Wilson

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Essays, Letters & Speeches Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

The essay meditates on what it means to be human, arguing that sincere writing should read like companionship rather than material for dissection, and that books meant to be read enlarge imagination, sympathy, and the sense of life. It laments the decline of youthful receptivity that once made literature richly present and contrasts humane, genial style with cold technicality. It diagnoses modern urban complexity, specialization, and haste as forces that narrow experience and threaten the broad traits that sustain human life, and it urges deliberate effort to preserve leisure, reflection, and a more rounded human sympathies.

About the Author

Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) was an American statesman and academic who served as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A prominent figure in the Progressive Era, Wilson is known for his leadership during World War I and his advocacy for the League of Nations. His writings reflect his deep engagement with political theory and governance, as seen in works like "Congressional Government" and "The New Freedom," where he explores the dynamics of democracy and reform. Wilson's essays, such as "Mere Literature, and Other Essays," showcase his literary style and philosophical insights, contributing to the discourse on American identity and politics.