EconTalk David Deutsch on the Pattern
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Dec 22, 2025 
David Deutsch, a renowned physicist and philosopher from Oxford, delves into a disturbing moral pattern surrounding antisemitism. He argues that throughout history, there has been a consistent social permission to justify harm against Jews, often rationalized by shifting narratives. Unlike sporadic pogroms, this background acknowledgment allows for a dangerous normalization of anti-Jewish sentiment. Deutsch critiques common explanations for antisemitism, discusses modern implications, and emphasizes the need for a clearer understanding to combat this pervasive issue.
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Why The Passion Felt Threatening
- Russ Roberts recounts being asked to explain Jewish reactions to The Passion of the Christ in 2004. He described how historical accusations like deicide led to real violence such as the Rhineland massacres of 1096.
The Pattern: Legitimizing Harm, Not Constant Violence
- David Deutsch defines "the pattern" as a recurring impulse to legitimize hurting Jews rather than constant active hatred. He emphasizes rationalizations change but the underlying permission to harm remains remarkably persistent across cultures and eras.
Backlash When The Pattern Feels Threatened
- Deutsch argues pogroms erupt when the pattern feels threatened by competing moral currents like the Enlightenment or Zionism. Those moments often produce worse backlash because the legitimacy to hurt Jews is perceived to be under siege.
