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Some Random Thoughts on Strauss

From First Thoughts

Here are some not quite random reflections on Strauss. I know the Wittgenstein inspired bullet point presentation style leaves something to be desired, but just keep in mind it’s not meant to create the impression of any real exactitude. 1. The noetic hetergeneity thesis seems to contradict . . . . Continue Reading »

First Things College Survey

From First Thoughts

Our hosts at First Things have asked me to pass this request along to our readers: In the Fall of 2010, for the first time ever,  First Things  will release its own college rankings and guide. Picking the right college is a difficult and trying process, especially for parents . . . . Continue Reading »

Liberalism and the Question of Competence

From First Thoughts

In the pages of the Wall Street Journal , Peggy Noonan wonders if a string of failures for the Obama administration counts as mounting evidence not only against his primary claim to rule, executive competence, but also against the undergirding premises of liberal political philosophy. The debate . . . . Continue Reading »

Immigration and Identity Politics

From First Thoughts

I have an op-ed in the Washington Times that attempts to understand the explosive racial and ethnic dimension of the current debate over the new Arizona immigration law. You should read it if for no other reason than it must be the only op-ed ever that mentions both Keith Olbermann and Chesterton. . . . . Continue Reading »

Elena Kagan, Careerist Enigma

From First Thoughts

Here David Brooks makes the argument that Elena Kagan, Obama’s latest nominee to the Supreme Court, is reminscent of our elite schools’ “Organization Kids”—bright, disciplined, articulate, and well-meaning junior careerists who do everything necessary to get ahead in . . . . Continue Reading »

Time to Pony Up!

From First Thoughts

First Things , our generous host magazine, is now having its annual online fundraising week. This week only they’re offering to their readers a special subscription rate of $19.95 for the print magazine. To get this deal, readers have to go to this page ( . . . . Continue Reading »

Modern Technology and the Person

From First Thoughts

So I’ve been thinking through some of the work I’ve done in the last year on Modern American Technocracy and I’d like to publicly articulate some tentative conclusions. Some of these might be more lucid than others but try to cut me some slack since it’s 4am. The central and . . . . Continue Reading »

God and Human Rights in Utah

From First Thoughts

If they can be found anywhere, it’s certainly in Provo. Our own Ralph Hancock, in conjunction with the brand new John Adams Center , is hosting a conference entitled God and Human Rights: Are Faith or Foundations Necessary ? The conference will run events at both BYU and Utah Valley . . . . Continue Reading »

Darwinian Cage Match

From First Thoughts

So last night our own Peter Lawler debated leading Darwinian Conservative Larry Arnhart here at RIT over the explanatory power of Darwinian evolution to capture to the totality of human experience in general and American political experience in particular. There was an impressive turnout of . . . . Continue Reading »

The Modern University and Technology

From First Thoughts

Since I work at a technical institute I will tread carefully in my criticisms of the problem an obsession with technology poses to the university . James has already announced this excellent symposium in The New Atlantis but it’s now available in its entirety online. Our own Peter Lawler . . . . Continue Reading »