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October 24, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Matthew J. Franck: Isolation Bookshelf: The Pleasures of Rereading

Recently one of the dozen visiting fellow and postdocs we’re hosting this year at Princeton’s James Madison Program suggested the formation of an info Isolation Bookshelf: The Pleasures of Rereading October 24, 2020 | by Matthew J. Franck I have called books and a…

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October 23, 2020 at 11:05 AM

Carson Holloway: Public Discourse in the “Age of Selfies”

America’s public discourse is in bad shape. Anybody can see this. Our political “debates” involve almost no real argument, no deliberation about what Public Discourse in the “Age of Selfies” October 23, 2020 | by Carson Holloway Adam MacLeod’s new book, “The Age …

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October 22, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Ryan T. Anderson: Protect Good Medicine, Stop the Censorship of Good Counseling

An increasing number of children, both here in America and around the globe, are experiencing deep discomfort, confusion, and alienation from their se Protect Good Medicine, Stop the Censorship of Good Counseling October 22, 2020 | by Ryan T. Anderson The law must…

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October 21, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Gerald R. McDermott: Misunderstanding Race and the Bible

Tim Keller has been one of the most effective evangelical communicators of the last generation. His winsomely argued books on faith, marriage, and jus Misunderstanding Race and the Bible October 21, 2020 | by Gerald R. McDermott Christians like Tim Keller are to b…

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October 20, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Casey Chalk: Amusing Ourselves to Death: Revisiting the Prophetic Work of Neil Postman

Few Americans, one imagines, walked away from the first presidential debate this year feeling optimistic about national politics. “Chaotic,” “vicious, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Revisiting the Prophetic Work of Neil Postman October 20, 2020 | by Casey Chalk Thirt…

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October 19, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Glenn Stanton: Sexual Orientation is Not What You Think It Is

Judge Amy Coney Barrett got a moralistic finger wagging from Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) last week in her hearings because she used the term “sexual p Sexual Orientation is Not What You Think It Is October 19, 2020 | by Glenn Stanton When we speak of protecting pe…

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October 16, 2020 at 11:05 AM

Joshua Pauling: The Beauty of Self-Giving Love in Anna Karenina

In her recent Public Discourse interview with Ryan Anderson, Mary Eberstadt noted the important, yet often overlooked power of art and fiction to make The Beauty of Self-Giving Love in Anna Karenina October 16, 2020 | by Joshua Pauling If we combine the beauty of …

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October 15, 2020 at 11:01 AM

Thomas Hibbs: Educating for an Integrated Human Existence

In 1856, on the Feast of Saint Monica, John Henry Newman delivered a sermon on the topic “Intellect, Instrument of Religious Training.” Newman, rector Educating for an Integrated Human Existence October 15, 2020 | by Thomas Hibbs The uniting of differing spheres o…

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October 14, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Helen Watt: Pro-Life Stings and Abortion Referrals: Formal Cooperation in Evil Is Always Wrong

Recently in Britain, a mystery shopper requested an abortion for a “beach body” over the summer, and was sent abortion pills by a seemingly unfazed ab Pro-Life Stings and Abortion Referrals: Formal Cooperation in Evil Is Always Wrong October 14, 2020 | by Helen Wa…

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October 13, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Anthony Esolen: E Pluribus Nihil

The great question before us, as is commonly thought, is what will happen to the United States, riven as we are with partisan hatreds, facing a debt s E Pluribus Nihil October 13, 2020 | by Anthony Esolen We often assume that unity is the norm in human affairs, an…

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October 12, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Joshua Wester: “Conservative Liberalism” after Christendom

Debating the merits of religiously oriented approaches to politics is not typically an exhilarating experience, but that has changed in recent years. “Conservative Liberalism” after Christendom October 12, 2020 | by Joshua Wester In his recent book, David VanDrun…

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October 10, 2020 at 11:05 AM

Matthew J. Franck: Isolation Bookshelf: The “Borking” of Supreme Court Nominees

Barring any unforeseen delays, the Senate Judiciary Committee will begin its hearings next week on the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to suc Isolation Bookshelf: The “Borking” of Supreme Court Nominees October 10, 2020 | by Matthew J. Franck There never …

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October 9, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Leonard Sax: Why Your Daughter—and You—Should Watch the New Mulan

One of the weirdest and most unexpected changes over the past decade has been the recent hardening of gender stereotypes. A generation ago, we were al Why Your Daughter—and You—Should Watch the New Mulan October 09, 2020 | by Leonard Sax Mulan is worth watching be…

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October 8, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Adam J. MacLeod: Uncluttering the Ground between the Trenches

Yesterday I discussed Andrew Koppelman’s proposal for achieving peace in the entrenched conflict between LGBT identity claims and civil liberties such Uncluttering the Ground between the Trenches October 08, 2020 | by Adam J. MacLeod Despite Andrew Koppelman’s goo…

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October 7, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Adam J. MacLeod: Suing for Peace in the Wedding Vendor Wars

Andrew Koppelman is climbing out of the trenches. In his new book, Gay Rights vs. Religious Liberty? (observe the question mark), he requests a cease- Suing for Peace in the Wedding Vendor Wars October 07, 2020 | by Adam J. MacLeod Andrew Koppelman surely is corre…

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October 6, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Grace Melton: The Threat to Life and Liberty from the United Nations’ Abuse of Human Rights

To the surprise of no one, liberal critics of the Trump administration strongly criticized the recent report of the US State Department’s Commission o The Threat to Life and Liberty from the United Nations’ Abuse of Human Rights October 06, 2020 | by Grace Melton …

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October 5, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Aaron Kheriaty: The Other Pandemic: The Lockdown Mental Health Crisis

The original rationale for COVID lockdowns and strict social distancing was to “flatten the curve” so as not to overwhelm hospitals with too many acut The Other Pandemic: The Lockdown Mental Health Crisis October 05, 2020 | by Aaron Kheriaty Our leaders cannot abd…

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October 4, 2020 at 12:02 PM

Featured Collection: Voting at Public Discourse

Featured Collection: Voting at Public Discourse Americans are just a month away from choosing our next president. Voting is a great responsibility, and we at Public Discourse seek to inform readers with a variety of viewpoints and arguments all coming from thinkers who share our basi…

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October 3, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Felix James Miller: Why Voting for Biden Isn’t Necessarily a Sin—And Why That Matters

This week, Public Discourse is running a symposium on the 2020 presidential election. We’ll hear from authors with a wide variety of perspectives on t Why Voting for Biden Isn’t Necessarily a Sin—And Why That Matters October 03, 2020 | by Felix James Miller While …

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October 2, 2020 at 11:06 AM

Ralph Hancock: Donald Trump and Our Heritage: Confessions of an Anti-Anti-Trumper

This week, Public Discourse is running a symposium on the 2020 presidential election. We’ll hear from authors with a wide variety of perspectives on t Donald Trump and Our Heritage: Confessions of an Anti-Anti-Trumper October 02, 2020 | by Ralph Hancock No amount …

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October 1, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Charles C. Camosy: Why You Should Vote for the American Solidarity Party in November

This week, Public Discourse is running a symposium on the 2020 presidential election. We’ll hear from authors with a wide variety of perspective Why You Should Vote for the American Solidarity Party in November October 01, 2020 | by Charles C. Camosy For too long …

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September 30, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Brandon McGinley: A Christian Case for Not Voting for Either Presidential Candidate in 2020

This week, Public Discourse is running a symposium on the 2020 presidential election. We’ll hear from authors with a wide variety of perspective A Christian Case for Not Voting for Either Presidential Candidate in 2020 September 30, 2020 | by Brandon McGinley The …

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September 29, 2020 at 11:03 AM

O. Alan Noble: Christian Witness Demands That We Defend Truth—and Reject Donald Trump

This week, Public Discourse is running a symposium on the 2020 presidential election. We’ll hear from authors with a wide variety of perspective Christian Witness Demands That We Defend Truth—and Reject Donald Trump September 29, 2020 | by O. Alan Noble Once we no…

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September 28, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Hunter Baker: How Trump Has Transformed the GOP—and Why Conservatives Should Vote for Him Anyway

This week, Public Discourse is running a symposium on the 2020 presidential election. We’ll hear from authors with a wide variety of perspective How Trump Has Transformed the GOP—and Why Conservatives Should Vote for Him Anyway September 28, 2020 | by Hunter Baker…

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September 27, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Oren Cass and Bradford Littlejohn: Conservatives Should Embrace Labor Unions

Brad Littlejohn and Oren Cass recently sat down to discuss the future of labor unions in the United States. Below is a lightly edited transcript. Brad Conservatives Should Embrace Labor Unions September 27, 2020 | by Oren Cass and Bradford Littlejohn If we think t…

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September 26, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Matthew J. Franck: Isolation Cinema: Family-Friendly Classics

Many parents these days find that their family routines have been totally disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In many cases children are “in school” f Isolation Cinema: Family-Friendly Classics September 26, 2020 | by Matthew J. Franck Although kid-friendly movies…

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September 25, 2020 at 11:07 AM

Clara E. Jace: Centrally Planning the Family

“The state does not need the family, because the domestic economy is no longer profitable: the family distracts the worker from more useful and produc Centrally Planning the Family September 25, 2020 | by Clara E. Jace Soviet misunderstandings of the market were r…

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September 24, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Jacquelyn Lee: On the Sacredness of Food

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the weaknesses of American food supply chains were exposed. Grocery shelves were bare. Plague threatened to gi On the Sacredness of Food September 24, 2020 | by Jacquelyn Lee If life is sacred, food must be sacred too, since…

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September 23, 2020 at 11:01 AM

Daniel J. Mahoney: Affirming Reality by Rejecting the Lie

In a thoughtful essay on the failure of twentieth-century political philosophy to come to terms with that century’s totalitarian assaults on liberty a Affirming Reality by Rejecting the Lie September 23, 2020 | by Daniel J. Mahoney All “dissidents” and men of good…

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September 22, 2020 at 11:05 AM

Ben Peterson: Dueling Anti-Racisms: Two Views on Promoting Racial Justice in Twenty-First Century America

The activist and philosopher Angela Davis reportedly said, “in a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” Becoming Dueling Anti-Racisms: Two Views on Promoting Racial Justice in Twenty-First Century America September 22, 2020 | …

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September 21, 2020 at 11:02 AM

David Closson: The 2020 Election: A Clear Distinction on Abortion

In just over a month, voters will decide whether Donald Trump has earned a second term or whether Joe Biden will replace him as president. Many issues The 2020 Election: A Clear Distinction on Abortion September 21, 2020 | by David Closson While both presidential …

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September 19, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Patrick T. Brown: Pro-Natalism from the Left

The title of Vox co-founder Matt Yglesias’ latest book, One Billion Americans, may sound like a contrarian hot take meant to draw clicks. But undernea Pro-Natalism from the Left September 19, 2020 | by Patrick T. Brown “One Billion Americans” is more than a cheeky…

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September 18, 2020 at 11:07 AM

Samuel Gregg: The Perennial Problem of Executive Power

From the American Republic’s beginning, the scope and limits of executive power have been fiercely debated. Whether the topic is immigration or war, t The Perennial Problem of Executive Power September 18, 2020 | by Samuel Gregg The republication of Jacques Necker…

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September 17, 2020 at 11:01 AM

Mark Bauerlein: Beauty and Charismatic Humanities

During the 1960s and ’70s, as the Theory Revolution swept through humanities departments, one of the fundamental issues in play was the status of beau Beauty and Charismatic Humanities September 17, 2020 | by Mark Bauerlein In order to win the undergraduates once …

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September 16, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Mark Regnerus: Christianity’s Global Marriage Problem

In 2020, getting married became an act of rebellion and imprudence. Scores of weddings were either postponed or profoundly circumscribed. But it didn’ Christianity’s Global Marriage Problem September 16, 2020 | by Mark Regnerus In an era of new options, more choic…

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September 15, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Matthew J. Franck: Racism Is Real. But Is “Systemic Racism”? That Time I Was Published by Newsweek—For Two Hours

Author’s note: The essay below was accepted on September 11 for publication by the opinion editor of Newsweek, and after some changes by the editors n Racism Is Real. But Is “Systemic Racism”? That Time I Was Published by Newsweek—For Two Hours September 15, 2020 …

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September 14, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Andre Van Mol, Michael K. Laidlaw, Miriam Grossman and Paul McHugh: Correction: Transgender Surgery Provides No Mental Health Benefit

“Why do researchers get away with sloppy science? In part because, far too often, no one is watching and no one is there to stop them” –“The Irreprodu Correction: Transgender Surgery Provides No Mental Health Benefit September 14, 2020 | by Andre Van Mol, Michael …

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September 12, 2020 at 11:02 AM

Matthew J. Franck: Isolation Bookshelf: Teachers and Influences on the American Project

In this strange season of the academic year, as classes begin with students and teachers scattered about and many gathering only “virtually” through t Isolation Bookshelf: Teachers and Influences on the American Project September 12, 2020 | by Matthew J. Franck In…

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September 11, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Adam J. MacLeod: Natural Law for a Lawless People

To achieve the rule of law is difficult. To have the rule of man requires only submission to power. Anarchy is also easy, if less sustainable. By cont Natural Law for a Lawless People September 11, 2020 | by Adam J. MacLeod Hobbes’ thin conception of natural law c…

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September 10, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Jorge Jraissati: A Tale of Two Countries: How Norway Embraces Markets While Venezuela Does Not

After my talk at Cambridge University a few months back, a student asked me a question along these lines: Jorge, we often hear that socialism is what A Tale of Two Countries: How Norway Embraces Markets While Venezuela Does Not September 10, 2020 | by Jorge Jrais…

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September 9, 2020 at 11:04 AM

John Jalsevac: The Unavoidable Uncertainty of This Pandemic

Eight months into this pandemic, we sometimes seem to be no nearer to knowing what’s going on than we were at the beginning. Lockdowns vs. no lockdown The Unavoidable Uncertainty of This Pandemic September 09, 2020 | by John Jalsevac An excessive desire for certai…

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September 8, 2020 at 11:04 AM

R.J. Snell: Ingratitude, Mob Violence, and Providence

A friend recently remarked on the absence of gratitude in contemporary political life. As he sees it, an inordinate disposition to critique and demand Ingratitude, Mob Violence, and Providence September 08, 2020 | by R.J. Snell Our culture’s deep ingratitude is th…

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September 7, 2020 at 11:04 AM

James Matthew Wilson: Flannery O’Connor, Sanctity, and the Psychology of Racism

Loyola University Maryland made the headlines a few weeks ago and for an embarrassing reason. The University’s president had received a student petiti Flannery O’Connor, Sanctity, and the Psychology of Racism September 07, 2020 | by James Matthew Wilson Flannery O…

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September 4, 2020 at 11:05 AM

Joshua Pauling: The Paradox of Autonomous Vehicles: Liberated Cars, Passive People

Automakers continue to proclaim that fully autonomous vehicles are just around the corner. In 2016, a host of companies, from BMW to Volvo, promised d The Paradox of Autonomous Vehicles: Liberated Cars, Passive People September 04, 2020 | by Joshua Pauling While a…

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September 3, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Samuel Gregg: How a Market Liberal Engaged Conservative Thought

It’s no secret that the right is divided these days. Whether the topic is national security or economics, many groups who once didn’t hesitate to line How a Market Liberal Engaged Conservative Thought September 03, 2020 | by Samuel Gregg Sixty years after its publ…

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September 2, 2020 at 11:04 AM

Stefano Gennarini: Will European Nationalists Ever Stop LGBT and Pro-Abortion EU Diplomacy?

The re-election of Andrjez Duda in Poland last month, much like Victor Orban’s reelection in Hungary two years ago, has ensured a rare period of polit Will European Nationalists Ever Stop LGBT and Pro-Abortion EU Diplomacy? September 02, 2020 | by Stefano Gennarin…

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September 1, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Rev. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P.: Ethical Principles for the Just Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine

It is becoming increasingly likely that government regulators will approve one or more vaccines for COVID-19 by the end of this year. Because manufact Ethical Principles for the Just Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine September 01, 2020 | by Rev. Nicanor Pier Giorgi…

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August 31, 2020 at 11:03 AM

Leonard Sax: Why WAP Matters

History has been made. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s latest release, “WAP,” has crushed the previous record for the most streams by a song in its Why WAP Matters August 31, 2020 | by Leonard Sax The record-smashing success of WAP is a warning to parents. You …

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August 30, 2020 at 1:08 PM

Featured Collection: The Vocation of Education at Public Discourse

Featured Collection: The Vocation of Education at Public Discourse As Americans head back to school—or try homeschooling for the first time—it is worth recalling several Public Discourse essays on the nature and purpose of education, along with advice for all of those engaged in thi…

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August 30, 2020 at 1:06 PM

Featured Collection: The Vocation of Education at Public Discourse

Featured Collection: The Vocation of Education at Public Discourse As Americans head back to school—or try homeschooling for the first time—it is worth recalling several Public Discourse essays on the nature and purpose of education, along with advice for all of those engaged in thi…

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