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Polarization

Suspending Politics to Save Democracy Erraticus Overdoing political
(Jorge Alcala)
Essays Society 

Suspending Politics to Save Democracy

February 19, 2020June 1, 2020 8 min read Lawrence Torcello Democracy, Polarization, Politics

Just political systems secure the means of living satisfying private lives while political saturation crowds out key aspects of a good life.

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Overdoing Democracy
(Brett Sayles)
Ideas Society 

We’re Overdoing Democracy. But Why?

December 23, 2019June 1, 2020 7 min read Kevin Vallier Democracy, Essential Reading, Polarization, Politics

Society has become so politically-saturated that we’re now overdoing democracy. Here are a few reasons why it undermines our institutions.

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Rene Girard Victims
(Samantha Sophia)
Essays Philosophy 

René Girard’s Map to Meaning: We’re All Victim(izer)s

August 6, 2019June 1, 2020 15 min read Charlie Deist Christianity, Myth, Polarization, Postmodernism

As we try to align ourselves closely with the true victims, René Girard shows how the ancient scapegoat ruse leads us to meaningful compassion.

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Religion Social Justice Faith Intersectionality Erraticus Image by Jon Tyson
(Jon Tyson)
Essays Religion 

If It Looks Like a Duck and Quacks Like a Duck . . . Is It a Religion?

March 11, 2019June 1, 2020 12 min read Rebecca Moore Polarization, Politics

Critics of intersectionality now refer to it as the “social justice faith,” highlighting the religious zeal and dogmatism of its advocates. As religion retreats, its qualifications have widened, continuing the ideologically-motivated practice of redefining what constitutes a religion.

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Adversarial Humanities Fuel Outrage Culture Erraticus Image by Becca Tapert
(Becca Tapert)
Ideas Society 

‘Adversarial’ Humanities Fuel Our Outrage Culture

January 16, 2019June 1, 2020 7 min read Alexander Bevilacqua Polarization

Literary theorists of the past half-century—who now dominate the humanities—encourage us to assume ill-intentions of one another. This contrasts with the ’empathetic’ humanities, which aim for more understanding and less judging in our daily lives.

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Engaging in Civil Arguments Is Effective Against Extremism Erraticus Image by Antenna
(Antenna)
Ideas Society 

Engaging in Civil Arguments Is Effective Against Extremism

December 26, 2018June 1, 2020 7 min read Walter Sinnott-Armstrong Polarization, Politics, Racism

Philosophers are exemplars in disagreeing vehemently but civilly with others. Like them, using these 4 principles can help us have arguments that are effective against extremism.

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A Pragmatic Approach to Ideas

An online publication focused on human flourishing, taking a pragmatic approach to ideas. We care about ideas that help us to live well together, focusing on their practical consequences.

 

“Pragmatism, on the other hand, asks its usual question. ‘Grant an idea or belief to be true,’ it says, ‘what concrete difference will its being true make in anyone’s actual life? How will the truth be realized? What experiences will be different from those which would obtain if the belief were false? What, in short, is the truth’s cash-value in experiential terms?'” — William James

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