Mark Lilla

Mark Lilla, a Professor of Humanities at Columbia University and author of "Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know," dives into the tug-of-war between knowledge and ignorance. He discusses when ignorance might serve us better, referencing Plato's allegory of the cave. Lilla explores how the comfort of not knowing can sometimes shield us from societal pressures and personal anxieties. The conversation reflects on the balance between curiosity and denial, revealing the psychological complexity of wanting both enlightenment and the bliss of ignorance.

Jonathan Cohn, Senior national correspondent and author, joins Mark Lilla, Professor of humanities and author, to unpack the current state of biomedical research amidst significant governmental cuts. They discuss the troubling impact of these changes on diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's, emphasizing how ignorance can shape political landscapes. The duo also explores the dynamics of Medicaid reform in red states and the importance of facing uncomfortable truths in an uncertain world. Their insights provide a profound look at how policy shapes lives.

Mark Lilla, a Columbia University professor and author of "Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know," dives into the fascinating tension between our desire to know and our instinct to remain blissfully ignorant. He discusses the psychological burden of constant news consumption and the allure of willful ignorance, questioning how it affects democracy today. Lilla explores the delicate balance of nurturing childhood innocence while also imparting essential knowledge, ultimately advocating for curiosity and emotional well-being in navigating our complex world.

Mark Lilla, a prominent Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and author of "Ignorance is Bliss," discusses the paradox of knowledge and ignorance. He argues that in navigating uncomfortable truths, we may prefer illusion over awareness. Delving into Plato's cave, Lilla examines blissful ignorance in politics, the moral implications of overeducation, and the role of psychoanalysis in self-discovery. He critiques the political landscape’s denial of reality and the dangers of ideologies that obscure genuine understanding, especially in today's AI-driven world.

Mark Lilla, ein US-Politikwissenschaftler, und Sophia Dreisbach, Amerika-Korrespondentin der F.A.Z., diskutieren die gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen von Trumps Politik. Lilla kritisiert die egozentrische Haltung des Ex-Präsidenten und thematisiert die Gefahren seiner potenziellen Wiederwahl für die Unabhängigkeit öffentlicher Institutionen. Auch die Identitätspolitik und ihre Rolle im Wählerverhalten werden beleuchtet. Zudem wird Trumps Rhetorik in Bezug auf Versöhnung und politische Angriffe kritisch analysiert, während Dreisbach über die aktuellen politischen Herausforderungen in den USA informiert.