John Keown spoke recently about the ethics of nuclear weapons. In his lecture, “The Pope and the Bomb: The Ethics of Nuclear Deterrence,” Keown argued that the aiming of nuclear weapons at cities and intending to use them in order to deter enemy attacks is immoral. Keown’s moral reasoning . . . . Continue Reading »
Last week, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Karabakh, reigniting its long-simmering war with Armenia. Continue Reading »
Truman authorized the use of the atomic bombs thinking, rightly, that doing so would save American and Japanese lives by shocking Japan into surrender. Continue Reading »
If the stature of a poet is measured by how well his words stick in the reader’s mind and refurbish our language, then W. H. Auden is one of the dominant English voices of the twentieth century. It is ironic that he came to “loathe” (his word) some of his best-remembered work. The most . . . . Continue Reading »
North by Northwest’s style is so impeccable, its tone so effervescent, that many viewers fail to grasp the film’s seriousness. Ernest Lehman, the screenwriter, did not help when he described the film as an insubstantial caper in the vein of James Bond, “something that has wit, . . . . Continue Reading »
James Boswell, who knew a thing or two about hero worship, called Julius Caesar “the greatest man of any age.” Alexander Hamilton told Thomas Jefferson that Caesar was “the greatest man who ever lived.” Theodor Mommsen, in his History of Rome, called Caesar “the sole creative genius . . . . Continue Reading »
10:59. The seconds slowly trudgeOver the top of the eleventh hourWhen shells and whiz bangs cease their lethal shower;We hold our breath and watch the minute budge.The church bells peal in joy, but time will judgeIf this is lasting peace or brooding power.On monuments crepe paper poppies flower;What . . . . Continue Reading »
Libya has become a battleground for European rivals who have long supported opposing factions in the war. Continue Reading »
Artifacts and images of the Civil War touch something deep in the American soul. Continue Reading »
Perhaps no error looms larger in contemporary American politics than Iraq. Continue Reading »
Subscribe
Latest Issue
Support First Things
