FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
"Monomania Is Illiberal and Stultifying"
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In his essay "Monomania Is Illiberal and Stupefying," which appeared on the digital publishing platform Persuasion on Oct. 1, 2021, Dr. Haidt argues that the current unrest in American society is due to the monomania that exists among groups that are focussed solely on power, particularly the groups that exist on academic campuses. He persuasively (hah!) describes that the inevitable outcome of monomaniacal groups is an illiberal, unintelligent society that is antithetical to the
free, small "l" liberal society that the West
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has enjoyed for more than two centuries.
Praxis Circle applauds Dr. Haidt's view that many lenses - or worldviews - are needed to fully understand an issue and that we must subject our worldviews to scrutiny. Healthy worldview discussions are critical to a healthy, free society!
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"A philosopher who says, 'There are no truths,
only interpretations,' risks the retort:
'Is that true, or only an interpretation?' "
Sir Roger Scruton, from "A Short History of Modern Philosophy:
From Descartes to Wittgenstein"
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Who We're Following:
Praxis Circle is delighted to announce that Steve Kelly, cartoonist for The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and frequent contributor to the Praxis Circle, has won the 87th National Headliner Award. This award was begun in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City.
"The judges commented: 'Steve Kelley doesn’t play in cliches. His cartoons stood out for their originality, smarts and focus on the hilarious moments that were so very hard to find in 2020 — some on the national stage, and some in our own homes. His artistic hand is crisp and clear, and his messages go right to the gut — causing a laugh, a headshake or a glance at the calendar: Is it 2021 yet?' "
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In this must-read work, Guinness
clarifies the differences between a secular revolution and a faith-based one, and applies this understanding to the revolution that is being called for in the U.S. and many other Western nations today.
As Guinness writes in The Magna Carta:
"There are two revolutionary faiths bidding to take the world forward... There is no choice facing America and the West that is more urgent and consequential than the choice between Sinai and Paris. Will the coming generation return to faith in God and to humility, or continue to trust in the all sufficiency of Enlightenment reason, punditry, and technocracy? Will its politics be led by principles or by power?"
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Below are several November events that Praxis Circle highly recommends:
Nov. 5: The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) presents "Election Watch 2022: One Year Out" from 12 PM to 1:15 PM in person and live-streamed. Guest panelists will be Michael Barone, John C. Fortier, Henry Olsen, and Norman J. Ornstein and the moderator will be Karlyn Bowman, Distinguished Senior Fellow at AEI.
Nov. 12: The AEI also hosts
" 'Woke, Inc.': A Conversation with Vivek Ramaswamy," Woke, Inc.'s author, at 4:30 PM, both in person and online.
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