Liberalism and limits
On his blog, What I Saw in America, political theorist Patrick Deneen often questions some of the fundamental assumptions of classic liberalism, assumptions which contradict the wisdom of premodern political thinkers.
A culture of one
Andrew Keen argues that the survival of the very best forms of cultural expression, in journalism, music, fiction, and other disciplines, requires a network of mediation and accreditation.
People, people who poke people . . .
Christine Rosen on how social media encourages the unsociable traits of narcissism and exhibitionism.
Stronger than death
Alan Jacobs and Mark Shea defend the portrayal of magic in the Harry Potter books.
A deeply religious civil religion
David Gelernter presents a helpful reminder of the religious, indeed, biblical (if heretical) sources of America’s beliefs about itself
A forgotten prophet
Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy: “Moderns are puzzled by the perfectly unsystematic, irrational, antilogical institution, the poorest organization on earth but yet fully alive — the family.”
Better things for better living
Richard DeGrandpre: “When a thousand points of light shine upon you in a commercial war for your thoughts, feelings, and wants, your mind adapts, accepts, and then, to feel stimulated, needs more.”
After irony
Richard Rorty’s tangled spiritual pilgrimage has origins in being the grandson of social gospel theologian Walter Rauschenbusch and the son of committed Leninists.
Why Johnny can’t think coherently
Alasdair MacIntyre on the importance of theology in liberal arts education
An ancient modern confusion
Ken Myers offers a brief primer on the heresy of Gnosticism