Intelligence Squared

John Gray on the US Election and a World After Liberalism, Part One

15 snips
Nov 6, 2024
John Gray, a renowned philosopher known for his critique of liberalism, joins Helen Thompson, a Cambridge professor and author of "Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century." They delve into the implications of Donald Trump's re-election for liberal democracy, discussing historical and modern views on tyranny and the risks of anarchy. Gray connects contemporary global conflicts to philosophical questions, while Thompson weighs in on the challenges of maintaining democratic ideals amidst rising authoritarianism.
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INSIGHT

Hobbesian Relevance in Modern Times

  • Hobbes' focus on state power resonates today due to rising state breakdown and anarchy.
  • Globalization of crime, like drug gang turf wars, further erodes state control.
INSIGHT

New Leviathans and the Future of Tyranny

  • The 21st century faces a potential "worst of both worlds" scenario with civil war threats and expansive state tyranny.
  • New Leviathans, enabled by technology, aim to reshape human behavior beyond Hobbes's imagined scope.
INSIGHT

Hobbes's Blind Spot: The Meaning of Violence

  • Hobbes overlooks the expressive nature of violence and its capacity to confer meaning.
  • Humans often prioritize meaning over mere existence, a nuance Hobbes' philosophy misses.
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