Listen to this episode with any podcast app, at YouTube, at Substack, or here: Of all the potential causes of liberal confusion, few are more confusing than this: being reasonable has become controversial. It’s a fundamental assumption of liberal democracy that we debate our differences with reason. But now that assumption looks like a relic of a bygone age … [Read more...] about Defending Enlightenment: Chapter 8 of The Liberal Backbone
democracy
The Liberal Backbone on WCPT Chicago with Joan Esposito
As you know if you’ve been following my posts and podcast episodes lately, I’m writing and releasing the chapters of my new book The Liberal Backbone in real time. When Joan Esposito of WCPT Chicago heard about it, she had an idea: a "radio book club," with me coming on her show to talk about the book as it comes together, chapter by chapter, with her and her … [Read more...] about The Liberal Backbone on WCPT Chicago with Joan Esposito
We Need to Talk About Marx: Liberal Backbone Chapter 4
Listen on any podcast app, at YouTube, or here: If you’ve been following along, you know I’m presenting the first draft my next book, The Liberal Backbone, chapter by chapter. This time, Chapter 4: “We Need to Talk About Marx.” You can also find this at Substack. I hope you’ll follow me there. Those versions have links and footnotes as well. As always, I welcome … [Read more...] about We Need to Talk About Marx: Liberal Backbone Chapter 4
Liberal Backbone Chapter 3: What DOES It Mean to Be Woke?
I promised last time to clarify the meaning of the word ”woke.” In fact, it has two meanings — and they’re so different, they contradict each other. By one of them, any liberal can be proud to be called woke, because to be woke in this sense is to recognize bigotry and oppose it. But by the other meaning, liberals can’t be woke, even if they want to. That’s because if … [Read more...] about Liberal Backbone Chapter 3: What DOES It Mean to Be Woke?
The Liberal Backbone, Chapter 2: Why Nothing Makes Sense
Photo: Gregor Mima, Pixelbay (Also available at Substack.) As I said in the previous chapter, liberals can be proud of being open to multiple opinions. But sometimes openness can look like emptiness, as if you stand for nothing at all. It’s hard to stand for something if you’re not even sure what that something is. And many liberals have become unsure what … [Read more...] about The Liberal Backbone, Chapter 2: Why Nothing Makes Sense