The Line Through the Heart: Natural Law as Fact, Theory, and Sign of Contradiction

Budziszewski on natural law is simply the best. . . . A must read.”

—James V. Schall, S.J., author of Another Sort of Learning

“Truly fundamental . . . I shall enjoy reading [it] over and over again.”

—Russell Hittinger, author of The First Grace

Why do we demand happiness on terms that make happiness impossible?

In this brilliantly persuasive book, bestselling author J. Budziszewski examines the suicidal proclivity of our time, which is to deny the obvious. Our hearts are riddled with desires that oppose their deepest longings. Why? And what can we do about it?

Acclaimed philosopher J. Budziszewski addresses these questions in the brilliantly persuasive book The Line Through the Heart, finding the answers in the natural law. The journey of exploration takes us through politics, religion, ethics, law, philosophy, and more, with Budziszewski as expert guide.

While investigating the natural law and its implications, Budziszewski boldly confronts a wide range of contemporary issues, offering a newly integrated view of abortion, evolution, euthanasia, capital punishment, runaway courts, and the ersatz state religion built in the name of religious toleration.

Written in Budziszewski’s usual crystalline style, The Line Through the Heart shows that natural law is a matter of concern not merely to scholars but to everyone, for it touches how each of us lives, and how all of us live together. His profound examination of this subject helps us make sense of why habits that run against our nature have become second nature, and why our world seems to be going mad.