For the Sake of Arguments

Reflections on how we talk about ethics, politics, and religion.
  For the Sake of Arguments
  • Blog
  • About

Christians Disagree About How They Disagree: An FTSOA Chat

10/31/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
Russell (RPJ): I read an interesting article recently from The Washington Post that explained, better than any article I’ve ever read, one important way conservatives and liberals talk past one another. It’s by David Hopkins and Matt Grossmann, who surprisingly aren’t quarterbacks for the Cleveland Browns. It’s worth reading if you have the time, but I’ll summarize their main point now. If you read the article, feel free to skip this summary. These two professors write that Republicans and Democrats in America think differently not just about the issues, but about how to frame the issues. “Each party’s supporters define the terms and stakes of political competition quite differently,” they write, “Republicans believe they’re battling over two opposing ideologies, while Democrats view partisan conflict instead as a fight between different social groups.” Republicans are more likely to think in terms of conservatism vs. liberalism, socialism vs. capitalism, traditional values vs. postmodern multiculturalism. Democrats are more likely to think in terms of men and women, black and white people, the one percent and the ninety-nine percent. 



Read More
2 Comments

FTSOA Chat: Trump, Clinton, and Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils

8/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture (Photo: DonkeyHotey)






Welcome to our first ever FTSOA chat! What follows is a free-flowing discussion between Russell, David, and
Mike Lehmann, a Republican political operative with a Duke Divinity School degree and friend of the program. This conversation has been slightly edited for clarity.

DAVID: I hear lots of people talking about the choice between Trump and Clinton as picking between “the lesser of two evils” and many seem conflicted about doing that. But what is the moral significance of voting for an objectionable presidential candidate? Are you morally on the hook for the candidate’s full slate of positions? Should your conscience hold you back?

Picture
Google searches for “the lesser of two evils.” Notice the spikes around Election Day 2012 and the present day.

Read More
0 Comments

    Archives

    September 2020
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

    Categories

    All
    Blog Post
    David
    FTSOA Chat
    Russell

    RSS Feed

To stay up to date, follow us on Facebook and Twitter

  • Blog
  • About