Increments #12 (C&R Series, Ch. 17) - Public Opinion and Liberal Principles
In the lead up to the American presidential election, one of the largest and most consequential expressions of public opinion, Ben and Vaden do what they always do and ask: "What does Popper say about this?" The second in the Conjectures and Refutations series, we cover Chapter 17: Public Opinion and Liberal Principles. Largely irrelevant and probably unhelpful, we touch
- A thesis that the far left and right are converging vis-a-vis reactionary politics
- The idea that "truth is manifest", i.e. obvious
- The role of free speech and diversity of opinion
- Political polarization
- Libertarians and their hate of seatbelts
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Chapter excerpt:
The following remarks were designed to provide material for debate at an international conference of liberals (...). My purpose was simply to lay the foundations for a good general discussion. Because I could assume liberal views in my audience I was largely concerned to challenge, rather than endorse, popular assumptions favourable to these views.