Conversations With Coleman | Members Exclusive The Myth of Left and Right with Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis
Aug 5, 2023
Hyrum and Verlan Lewis, brothers and co-authors of 'The Myth of Left and Right,' dive into the complexities of political identities. They argue that the left-right spectrum is a misleading construct, likening political affiliation to sports fandom more than to distinct philosophies. Discussing how tribalism shapes beliefs, they highlight the inconsistency of party definitions and the disconnect between ideologies and real issues. Their insights push for a deeper understanding of political discourse, encouraging listeners to embrace nuanced perspectives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Left and Right Are Arbitrary Tribes
- Left and right are arbitrary tribes, not coherent philosophies with a core essence.
- People adopt the tribe’s positions mainly due to socialization, not philosophical coherence.
Political Party Positions Flip-Flop
- The parties have switched positions on issues like war and trade across decades, showing no fixed core.
- Positions like being pro-war or pro-free market are tribal badges that can flip over time.
Tribes Invent Ideologies Post Hoc
- One issue psychologically draws people to a tribe, then they adopt all the tribe’s positions.
- The tribe retrofits an ideology story post hoc to justify its bundled positions.
