David Brooks, a writer and columnist at the New York Times, discusses the role of character development in building strong liberal societies. They cover topics such as the term 'bourgeois bohemians,' inspiring social connections between individuals of all backgrounds, the spread of ideologies through social media, loneliness and lack of close friendships, liberalism's ambivalence, and defending liberal values while remaining open to critiques.
The fragmentation of society and the rise of identity politics have led to a moral vacuum, emphasizing the need for moral formation and the development of virtues.
The absence of moral formation in society has resulted in an individualistic and divisive culture war, highlighting the importance of prioritizing institutions and relationships that shape moral character and provide a strong sense of purpose.
Actively engaging with neighbors, organizing social events, and participating in community initiatives can help foster deeper relationships, creating a sense of belonging and purpose within communities even in non-ideal geographical settings.
Deep dives
The Rise of Identity Synthesis
The identity synthesis ideas, once marginal, have become deeply influential in universities, nonprofits, corporations, and politics.
The Role of Social Media
Social media platforms like Tumblr and Fort Catalog played a significant role in popularizing the identity synthesis. They allowed individuals to connect with others based on newly created identity labels, fostering a sense of validation and the need for an ideology of deference.
The Influence of Elite Institutions
Elite institutions, from universities to newspapers, have embraced and promoted the ideas of the identity synthesis. This cultural class has become an inherited Brahmin class, controlling the media, universities, and the entire epistemic regime.
The Call for Moral Formation
The fragmentation of society and the rise of identity politics have led to a moral vacuum. There is a growing need for moral formation and the development of virtues. Conversations across differences and building social skills are necessary for a more genuinely pluralistic society.
The Role of Politics in Filling the Moral Vacuum
The podcast discusses how individuals have turned to politics to fulfill their sense of moral purpose and belonging due to the fragmentation of society. However, politics alone cannot provide genuine communities or promote generosity. The absence of moral formation in society has resulted in an individualistic and divisive culture war, where politics becomes a source of recognition and affirmation. The speaker highlights the need to prioritize institutions and relationships that shape moral character and provide a strong sense of purpose.
Building Meaningful Human Connections in a Mobile World
The podcast explores the challenge of building meaningful connections in a mobile society where people frequently move and lack a rooted sense of community. The speaker suggests that actively engaging with neighbors, organizing social events, and participating in community initiatives can help foster deeper relationships. By taking responsibility for addressing local problems and connecting with others who share common interests and values, individuals can create a sense of belonging and purpose within their communities, even in non-ideal geographical settings.
Yascha Mounk and David Brooks discuss the role of character development in building strong liberal societies.
David Brooks is a writer and a columnist at the New York Times. He is the author of Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There and The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement. His latest book is How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and David Brooks discuss how he came to coin the term “bourgeois bohemians” (or “bobos”); whether today’s elite shares any traits with the bobo elite that first succeeded the WASPs; and how we can inspire stronger and deeper social connections between individuals of all backgrounds.
