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Academics absolutely do have fruitful arguments about religion and politics. Pretending that there is nothing to learn is just anti-intellectualism.
by amanaplanacanal 10mo ago
Academics absolutely do have fruitful arguments about religion and politics. Pretending that there is nothing to learn is just anti-intellectualism.
- foster_nyman 10mo agoYou’re right, and I agree wholeheartedly: academics absolutely do have fruitful arguments about religion and politics. I read Graham’s point as narrower than “there’s nothing to learn.” He explicitly says: “There are certainly some political questions that have definite answers.” The warning label is about identity capture. Once a view becomes part of who you are, the odds of real updating drop: “people can never have a fruitful argument about something that’s part of their identity.” Or, put positively: “you can have a fruitful discussion … so long as you exclude people who respond from identity.” So the issue isn’t the topic. It’s what happens when belief turns into a kind of badge.