Democratic Humility

Reinhold Niebuhr, Neuroscience, and America’s Political Crisis

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Democracy, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Democratic Humility by Christopher Beem, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christopher Beem ISBN: 9781498511438
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: June 9, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Christopher Beem
ISBN: 9781498511438
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: June 9, 2015
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

American politics is in a state of crisis but it is not clear why. Nor do we know what to do about it. Reinhold Niebuhr helps us understand what is wrong with our politics and research into the workings of the brain confirms his analysis. Call it sin or motivated reasoning and confirmation bias, the bottom line is that all of us are what Niebuhr calls “Children of Light.” We are all vain and self-righteous about our beliefs and values, and far too quick to reject any information that goes against them. The unprecedented rise of talk radio and cable news helps to account for why things are so bad. We all want to hear that our group is smarter and more moral than others. To restore a democracy that functions, we need to understand ourselves better and develop the humility that such knowledge should engender.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

American politics is in a state of crisis but it is not clear why. Nor do we know what to do about it. Reinhold Niebuhr helps us understand what is wrong with our politics and research into the workings of the brain confirms his analysis. Call it sin or motivated reasoning and confirmation bias, the bottom line is that all of us are what Niebuhr calls “Children of Light.” We are all vain and self-righteous about our beliefs and values, and far too quick to reject any information that goes against them. The unprecedented rise of talk radio and cable news helps to account for why things are so bad. We all want to hear that our group is smarter and more moral than others. To restore a democracy that functions, we need to understand ourselves better and develop the humility that such knowledge should engender.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Imagination and Postmodernity by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Walking the Line by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Reading the Novels of John Williams by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book The Legacy of the Cold War by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book The Influence of the European Culture on Hemingway’s Fiction by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Reapportionment and Redistricting in the West by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Magical American Jew by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Studies of Identity in the 2008 Presidential Campaign by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Woodrow Wilson by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Utopian Movements and Ideas of the Great Depression by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book The Américas Award by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Removing the Commons by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Milton's Socratic Rationalism by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Experiences of Japanese American Women during and after World War II by Christopher Beem
Cover of the book Political Action in Václav Havel's Thought by Christopher Beem
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy