Homebrewed Christianity Aaron Simmons: The Paradox of Democracy & What Comes Next
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Feb 20, 2025 Aaron Simmons, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Furman University and creator of ‘Philosophy in the Wild,’ dives into the complexities of democracy. He discusses the challenges of sustaining democratic engagement amidst political polarization. The conversation highlights the tensions between equality and justice, critiques the two-party system, and advocates for embracing conflict in dialogue. Simmons also explores anarchism as a form of democratic practice and emphasizes the need for genuine political engagement and understanding across differing perspectives.
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Democracy's Dilemma
- Democracy requires balancing political equality and social justice.
- Polarization arises when prioritizing justice over engaging with opposing views.
Facebook Friend Dilemma
- Aaron Simmons struggles with engaging a megachurch pastor and Trump supporter.
- He questions whether blocking him is a failure of democratic principles.
Paradox of Democracy
- Liberalism (individual freedom) and democracy (popular sovereignty) are inherently tense.
- The goal is transforming antagonistic enemies into agonistic adversaries.
