On The Shoulders of Giants

I think it is important to think and reflect a little further, to dig a little deeper, in relation to the subject of my recent post about Abraham and child sacrifice. Clearly I am willing to be critical of the story, to disagree. But I also am profoundly aware that my perspective on child sacrifice as something horrific is itself shaped by the Biblical tradition and one or more of its trajectories. I see the problematic nature of the story about Abraham and Isaac, at least in part, because I stand on the shoulders of others, who stand on the shoulders of others, who stand ultimately on the shoulders of the author(s) of Genesis.

We make progress by critically evaluating the legacy of those who have gone before us. And so it should be. So go ahead and criticize the giant. He can take it. But it might not hurt to also take time occasionally to thank him for the ride. After all, if you achieve the status of giant, how will you want those standing on your shoulders to view your legacy. And if we never achieve that status, or even if we do, we remain grateful for the many giants who helped us see further than we could on our own.

Then again, maybe this reflects my own distinctive perspective, as one who is somewhat “altitudinally challenged”.