December Newsletter

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Oikophobia vs. Oikophilia?

It was Sir Roger Scruton, the late conservative philosopher and early Praxis Circle Contributor, who coined the words "oikophobia" and "oikophilia." He described a "peculiar frame of mind" that either belittles the culture of its homeland (oikophobia) or deeply appreciates it (oikophilia). It's a testament to Scruton's continuing relevance in the worldview arena that he is cited by current journalists like Zaid Jilani in his column "When Demography Isn't Destiny" in the magazine City Journal.

In his column Jilani makes the interesting point that most immigrants to the U.S. admire the U.S. and appreciate the benefits of living here (oikophilia) more than a growing number of native-born Americans, who do not (oikophobia). He makes the case that these "oikophiliac" immigrants are increasingly likely to be culturally and politically conservative, contrary to many

liberals' hopeful expectations and in defiance of many conservatives' worries.

Zaid Jilani, journalist

Jilani also makes an important worldview point when he writes:

We can only speculate about why these differences exist, but it’s important to recognize that immigrants have something most native-born people don’t: a basis for comparison.

Praxis Circle always seeks to provide information and insights that produce a "basis for comparison" for those who are building their worldviews!

"The family is the test of freedom; because the family is the only thing that the free man makes for himself and by himself. "

G.K. Chesterton

What We're Watching:

Here at Praxis Circle we've enjoyed viewing the inaugural series of the Roger Scruton Memorial Lectures held in Oxford, England earlier this fall. They may be viewed here.

This multi-day event examined such topics as the "Anglosphere" with Niall Ferguson, "Puritanism and Iconoclasm" with historian Tom Holland, "Beauty and Home" and Sir Roger's book The Aesthetics of Architecture with Marwa Al-Sabouni, recorded from her home in Syria, and "Democracy" with Jonathan Sumption, former Justice of the Supreme Court in Great Britain. Lord Sumption's full lecture "When Fear Leads to Tyranny" can also be read here on Unherd.

Keep watching this space for information on the future lectures in this series.

‌

From the Praxis Circle family to you and your family, we sincerely wish you a joyful holiday season!

Praxis Circle recommends the following events for December 2021:

All of the Advent Season: The Trinity Forum presents the second season of its podcast Trinity Forum Conversations with "Waiting on the Word," in which they examine the season's paradoxes.

Listen here: Season 2

December 10, 1:30 PM: The Trinity Forum also presents an online conversation with Andrew Peterson, "Finding God in the Garden," discussing nature's place in spiritual life and his book, The God of the Garden.