Category: ethics
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The editors of n+1 write about cultural elitism
They argue, essentially, that the term “cultural elitism” carries two opposing valences. On the one hand, the “lingering existence of a cultural elite testifies to the persistence of class privilege .” On the other hand, it is “the only thing standing between us and the full spectrum dominance of the power elite.” In its positive sense, cultural…
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The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Yesterday, I was in a hurry. I had timed things so that, assuming nothing out of the ordinary, I’d get to where I was headed a few minutes before the person I was expecting to meet would likely arrive. It was an appointment I was looking forward to (I like the person very much, and…
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Who is David Brooks?
David Brooks is a cultural and political columnist for the New York Times. He began writing there in 2003. Before then, he was Senior Editor at The Weekly Standard. If one were pressed to affix a label to him, one do worse than call him a “conservative,” but then the label wouldn’t be terribly helpful.…
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Saul Frampton writes about Montaigne, neuroscience, and empathy.
In “Montaigne and the Macaques,” Frampton expresses his sympathy for Montaigne. The thrust of this excerpt from Frampton’s forthcoming book is that Montaigne manages to describe vividly and forcefully the relationship between human proximity and moral feeling. “For Montaigne, human proximity is at the heart of morality.” And: “Montaigne’s general point is clear: that we have…
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An encomium for Richard Holloway
Update: A later version of this essay can be read at Butterflies and Wheels. * * * I admire Richard Holloway for his courage. Here is a man of religion who, from 1986-2000, was Bishop of Edinburgh. Here is a man of virtue concerned with his neighbor, with social justice, and with the common good.…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 