Philosophy For Our Times Why liberalism has failed | John Gray on civilisation, morality, and the illusion of progress
19 snips
Dec 16, 2025 
John Gray, a political philosopher and author known for his critiques of liberalism, shares thought-provoking insights on the failures of liberalism and the myth of progress. He argues that scientific advancements don’t equate to moral improvements and reflects on how urban renewal can undermine social cohesion. Gray delves into the rise of populism as a response to liberal policies and examines the dangers of polarization in the US. Ultimately, he advocates for living with hope rather than blind optimism, urging individuals to find meaning without relying on societal perfection.
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Science Advances, Morality Does Not
- Scientific and technological knowledge can advance while moral and political life does not improve correspondingly.
- John Gray argues progress in science is real but moral progress is fragile and often reversed.
How A New Estate Broke Community
- Gray recounts being moved from a close-knit multigenerational street to a new housing estate that destroyed social bonds.
- The material improvements came with social degradation, graffiti, vandalism, and isolation.
Values Clash And Tragic Choices
- Isaiah Berlin taught Gray that values conflict and tragic choices are unavoidable.
- Gray uses this to reject grand social engineering and to stress plural, irreconcilable human needs.
