Left Elsewhere—Winter '19 Issue | Boston Review

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Philosophy & Religion

The Philosophy of Our Time

Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential Marxism offers a radical philosophical foundation for today’s revitalized critiques of capitalism.

Ronald Aronson

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Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy & Religion

Is Philanthropy Anti-Democratic?

Most charitable foundations are endowed in perpetuity. But John Stuart Mill argued eternal rights make for bad governance.

Rob Reich

Philosophy & Religion

Below the Asphalt Lies the Beach

There is still much to learn from the radical legacy of critical theory.

Seyla Benhabib

Philosophy & Religion, Politics

What John Stuart Mill Got Wrong about Freedom of Speech

Fascist politics exploits freedom of speech for authoritarian ends.

Jason Stanley

Philosophy & Religion

When Catholicism Embraced Modernity

In the mid-twentieth century, the Church radically changed its position on whether religion is a public or private matter.

Sarah Shortall

Philosophy & Religion

The Conversion of Pope Francis

The pontiff still hasn't commented on Ireland's abortion referendum. That could all change when he visits the country in August. 

Nancy Scheper-Hughes

Philosophy & Religion

The Anti-Immigration Bible

Jeff Sessions is fond of citing the Bible to support the persecution of immigrants, in stark contrast to a long tradition of biblical interpretation.

Robert L. Tsai

Philosophy & Religion

Marxism Without Progress

When philosophy tries to reclaim Marx, the duty to interpret comes before the duty to change. 

Bruce Robbins

Philosophy & Religion, Science & Nature

The Defeat of Reason

From quantum physics to the anti-rationalism of Thomas Kuhn.

Tim Maudlin

Philosophy & Religion

Is Germany’s New Anti-Semitism Really New?

The focus on Muslim anti-Semitism obscures the real quandary of multiculturalism in Angela Merkel’s Germany.

Carlos Fraenkel

Philosophy & Religion, Race

A Love Supreme

Remembering James H. Cone.

Cornel West

Philosophy & Religion

Is There Such a Thing as Truth?

Noam Chomsky and Hilary Putnam on how language connects us to the world.

Errol Morris

Philosophy & Religion, Politics

Fatalism, Freedom, and the Fight for America’s Future

Tocqueville warned us about democratic fatalism. But as Steven Pinker’s new book shows, fatalism is a permanent feature of modern politics.

David Runciman

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