On Second Thought

"In her introduction, Luisa Del Giudice refers to this collection of reflections from scholarly women as "a convocation of wise women" and discusses wisdom as something not dichotomous from knowledge but emerging from the integration of the pursuit of knowledge with the pursuit of spiritual truth. Seeking purpose is an alternative way to characterize the reflexive examination of careers and personal direction that this collection captures. The editor notes that such life review is most frequently associated with the later, second half of life, as is wisdom traditionally, and it often entails an effort to integrate career and profession within a meaningful whole life, including its personal and spiritual aspects. The authors thus frequently look back and a substantial element of memoir infuses the collection. It is also grounded, though, in presence, in focused awareness of self that might reveal existential meaning. Several of the contributing authors to this work, including the editor, have careers that frequently touch on matters of spirituality, whether as scholars of folklore, belief, and religion or as professional practitioners of varying religious traditions. The book is interdisciplinary may have a place among or interest to a wide variety of genres and disciplines, including academic memoirs, feminist writings, religious studies, women's studies, folklore studies, ethnography, sociology, and ethnic (especially Italian American, which a majority of the contributors are) studies"--Provided by publisher.