Humanize

Robert P. George on the Reality and Importance of Human Exceptionalism

38 snips
Dec 8, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Robert P. George, a legal and moral philosopher from Princeton, dives into the significance of human exceptionalism. He argues that acknowledging our unique moral value shapes our actions. George critiques modern culture's emphasis on feelings over reason, warning of its dangers. He explores the foundations of human dignity, asserting it exists in our rational nature, even in vulnerable states like disability or infancy. Additionally, he advocates for truth-seeking and moral clarity in today’s complex landscape.
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ANECDOTE

Plato's Gorgias Sparked An Academic Vocation

  • Robert George recounts discovering Plato at Swarthmore and how Gorgias taught him dialogue aims at truth, not victory or gain.
  • This experience launched his vocation toward academic truth-seeking.
INSIGHT

Truth-Seeking Is Essential To Human Fulfillment

  • Human fulfillment includes inquiring into questions and seeking truth as an end in itself.
  • Robert George argues truth-seeking is a distinctive, exceptional human activity that grounds part of our dignity.
ADVICE

Practice Intellectual Humility In Dialogue

  • Cultivate intellectual humility and recognize your fallibility to improve truth-seeking.
  • Use dialogue to expose errors and move closer to truth rather than to merely persuade or win.
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