The 2001 Mathers Lecture 2001 Rosen Lecture, and Other Queen's University Essays in the Study of Judaism

But university scholars not only contribute to the public interest by sharing their knowledge, they also gain from serving as public intellectuals. The vocation to speak beyond the limits of specialization imposes its own discipline and presents its own intellectual challenge. Specifically, academic scholars are challenged to think through the details of their subject matter in quest of the main point--what matters and makes a difference to the world at large. And that process of retrospection and introspection provides perspective even on the most arcane recondite and technical aspects of their learning and research.