Firing Line with Margaret Hoover Robert George and Cornel West: Revisiting a conversation with an ideological odd couple
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Nov 29, 2025 
Cornel West, a progressive philosopher and activist, joins Robert George, a conservative legal scholar, for a dialogue that bridges their ideological divide. They explore the importance of free speech on campuses, revealing challenges from within their own political circles. West shares his views on healthcare as a human right, while George reflects on race and affirmative action, highlighting how their discussions shaped his understanding. Together, they advocate for humility and listening, offering practical advice on navigating political discussions, especially during family gatherings.
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Friendship Across Deep Political Divides
- Cornel West and Robert George describe a deep friendship that transcends politics and ideology.
- They emphasize love, shared humanity, and mutual admiration despite fierce political disagreement.
Morality Frames Economic Judgement
- Robert George reframed his view on economics to ask not only whether a system raises prosperity but whether it is just and honors human dignity.
- Both give "two cheers" to capitalism or socialism and stress moral constraints on any system.
Constrain Markets And Empower Civil Society
- Do constrain markets with moral principles and fair regulation to prevent predatory capitalism.
- Strengthen families, churches, and voluntary associations to shoulder health, education, and welfare responsibilities.
