Economist Thomas Sowell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, returns to discuss his new website, Facts Against Rhetoric. He delves into the collapse of educational standards, critiques affirmative action, and highlights overlooked achievements in Black history. Sowell argues for personal responsibility within communities and examines the adverse effects of recent tariffs on the economy. With wit and clarity, he calls for a cultural shift towards valuing fact-based discourse over emotional rhetoric.
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insights INSIGHT
Facts vs. Rhetoric
Thomas Sowell's website, Facts Against Rhetoric, aims to counter rhetoric with empirical evidence.
He believes many students are indoctrinated rather than educated, accepting claims without critical analysis.
question_answer ANECDOTE
AOC and Lack of Factual Basis
Sowell recounts observing AOC making pronouncements without factual basis.
He highlights the lack of critical thinking in education, where students memorize narratives without evaluating them.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Teaching Controversial Topics
Present students with the strongest arguments from both sides of controversial issues.
Test their understanding of both arguments, not just their chosen belief.
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This textbook provides a straightforward and comprehensive introduction to basic macro and microeconomic concepts. It is designed to be accessible and is widely used in introductory economics courses. The book covers fundamental principles and theories in economics, making it a valuable resource for students and those new to the subject.
Black Rednecks and White Liberals
Thomas Sowell
In "Black Rednecks and White Liberals," Thomas Sowell challenges conventional wisdom about race relations in America. He argues that cultural factors, rather than solely racial prejudice, play a significant role in shaping economic and social outcomes. Sowell introduces the concept of "cultural baggage" to explain the persistence of poverty and inequality within certain communities. He analyzes the historical and cultural differences between various groups, highlighting the impact of different cultural values on economic success. The book is known for its controversial arguments and its provocative analysis of race and class in the United States.
A Personal Odyssey
Thomas Sowell
A Personal Odyssey is a memoir by Thomas Sowell that chronicles his life from growing up in Harlem to serving in the Marines and attending the Ivy League. It explores his transformation from a young Marxist to a prominent figure on the political right, detailing his experiences as a writer, teacher, and economist. The book offers insights into his personal and professional evolution amidst challenging times.
Mismatch
Kat Holmes
Discrimination and Disparities
Thomas Sowell
Charter Schools and Their Enemies
Thomas Sowell
In 'Charter Schools and Their Enemies', Thomas Sowell argues that charter schools generally outperform traditional public schools in educational outcomes, particularly in closing the achievement gap between white and minority students. He also explores the strong opposition charter schools receive from teachers unions, politicians, and other groups, attributing this hostility to the threat charter schools pose to traditional educational systems.
Affirmative Action Around the World
Thomas Sowell
Economist and author Thomas Sowell makes his long-awaited (and oft requested) return to Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson to unveil his newest project: a website titled Facts Against Rhetoric, a powerful resource dedicated to empirical thinking and intellectual clarity. In this interview, Sowell explores some of the most urgent issues in American life—from the collapse of educational standards to the unintended consequences of affirmative action, the impact of tariffs, and the erosion of family and cultural structures within Black communities.
Drawing on a lifetime of scholarship and lived experience, Sowell revisits the remarkable but forgotten progress made by African Americans in the century following the Civil War, dismantles myths surrounding capitalism and inequality, and challenges dominant narratives in academia and media. With clarity, wit, and intellectual honesty, Sowell calls for a return to a culture that values facts over feelings—and results over intentions.
Uncommon Knowledge 
