One of the most telling but least commented upon lines in President Obama’s inaugural speech was his promise to “restore science to its proper place”. Since he doesn’t expand upon this restoration in the remainder of the speech it’s not immediately obvious what this . . . . Continue Reading »
So far, I’ve been reluctant to enter the torture debate. That’s not because it isn’t important (it is) or because I’m unsure of my views (I oppose torture). Rather, this issue has encouraged the tendency of the blogosphere to generate more heat than light. The public . . . . Continue Reading »
Mr. Deneen’s take (post just before this one) on the Inaugural is the most penetrating I’ve seen, or expect to see. The collusion between Kantianism and Machiavellianism is a very important insight, and in fact one that Harvey Mansfield has always seen very clearly (as in his . . . . Continue Reading »
Over coffee this morning, I found that Razib Khan and Ross Douthat have started a lively little debate about the use and abuse of the term "Judeo-Christian". Khan argues that it’s little more than political correctness. In fact, the dominant form of Judaism between . . . . Continue Reading »
Does anyone out there really believe in “metaphysical neutrality” in the political realm, or, for that matter, in a purely “political” liberalism (later Rawls) that would be neutral with respect to understandings of the meaning of life, or of “the . . . . Continue Reading »
. . . goes on. I unpack Damon Linker’s vision quest over at the Confab. . . . . Continue Reading »
An international speaking tour aside, it’s hard to argue that the President Elect brings a wealth of real foreign policy experience with him to the Oval Office. Nevetheless, the activity of intimately directing a war can have a dramatic and transformative effect on one’s world . . . . Continue Reading »
A priest whose name shall not be mentioned emailed me this morning to remind me that in a week and two days "a new era in mankind will begin . . . " While millions of Americans cheerfully await the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama II there are a few of us who are not quite so . . . . Continue Reading »
A re-assessment of conservatism is an inevitable topic of discussion, and certainly a worthy task. But I confess the topic wearies me – not only because I’m old enough to have seen a number of earlier iterations, but more, I think, because I’m less and less convinced . . . . Continue Reading »
I was casting about for a quick reference on Kant the other day, in the hopes of clarifying a question I had about how he viewed the relationship between autonomy and moral action, when I came across this fantastic resource . (H/t David Barnes) Given Tim Carney’s recent look at the bailout , . . . . Continue Reading »
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