My Billionaire Can Whoop Your Billionaire
The political power and influence of an Elon Musk or a Donald Trump, while superficially encouraging, is really a symptom of a flawed, poorly structured political system.
Political Philosophy
Alasdair MacIntyre’s Essential Liberalism
In recoiling from the fragmentation of values that characterizes modernity, MacIntyre has presented less an alternative to the depredations of liberal individualism than an escape from its challenges.
The Dysphoria of Modern Life Is Its Obvious Weakness
The irony of postmodernism, a critical metaphysics which dwells on irony for sustenance, is that there is no there there.
The Remorseless Tide of Reality
Ideology, unlike philosophy, seeks to remake human nature.
Start from Zero—Again
Can we open our eyes and reject the idle “twirling” of a society addicted to cynicism, joylessness, and information?
Why the “American Enlightenment” Succeeded, and How it Might Fail
We are equipped with common sense and moral sense just as we are equipped with the senses of taste, smell, sight, hearing, and touch. We are simply made that way.
The Problems of Vulture Capitalism
Vulture capitalism is a deviant and baseless form of capitalism, totally without virtue. In this fictional account of a debate between George Soros and the author, we see why.
‘This Happy Breed of Men’
There seems to be some deep connection between the English language and that most uncommon virtue, common sense.
An Etude on Time, Chance, and Charters
No problem will solve itself. There is no moment where enough is enough, and the resolution into harmony resolves on its own as the pendulum swings back.
‘Our Democracy™’: Oligarchy With Democratic Trappings
We will either reclaim the mantle of republican self-government or bid a sad farewell to the American commonwealth.
2022 and Aesop’s Frog
Is liberalism the frog who blew himself up trying to be as big as an ox? In 2022 we may find out.
Lost in Translation
In relying on the usage of “unalienable” after Francis Hutcheson, the founders indicated an important difference between themselves and John Locke.
Bosses? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Bosses
Enough with bosses—they might need us but we don’t need them. The bosses won’t like it but humanity will.
The Return of Common Sense
We need to restore prudence as an intellectual virtue again in order to revive a deeper appreciation for human well-being. Common sense is due for a comeback.
Dissecting the Monsters of Modern Revolutions
These monsters wore the masks of liberators, hiding the malevolence of hubris that comes when men attempt to create heaven on earth.
Antifa and the Mainstreaming of Antifascism
Through violence and its ability to create extensive support systems, Antifa looks very much like early National Socialism.
Liberalism Isn’t What it Used to Be
For writers at Salon “liberal” signifies whatever they and their circle of groupies would like it to mean and has little attachment to historical reality.
Bullets, Ballots, and Books
What Harry Jaffa teaches is neither easy nor comforting. Rather than offer his students and readers idle chatter or shallow patriotism, he sought to reveal how natural right remains a living force.
Envy as the Path to Political Power
Because envy is ever-present, a society’s ability to achieve greatness depends on its ability to control this highly destructive emotion.
We Must All Hang Together
Some lessons from history and philosophy can help us think about our present crisis.