Allies (Fall 2019) | Boston Review

A Political and Literary Forum

Menu Search
Donate Shop Join

Philosophy & Religion, Science & Nature

What Makes Science Trustworthy

The “scientific method” of high school textbooks does not exist. But there are scientific methods, and they play an essential role in making scientific knowledge reliable.

Philip Kitcher

Read More

Philosophy & Religion

Philosophy & Religion

Don't Overthink It

A new book wants us to navigate life’s crossroads with the precision of a military exercise. But personal decisions are more difficult than even the most consequential political decisions.

Agnes Callard

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

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

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

Two new books—one on quantum physics, one on Thomas Kuhn—seek to reestablish the authority of reason and evidence.

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

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Vital reading on politics, literature, and more in your inbox

Love Boston Review?

Then you’ll love our new membership program! Join us to support engaged discussion on critical issues. You’ll also enjoy exclusive membership benefits.
Get Started

Copyright © 1993-2019 Boston Review and its authors.

Support Boston Review

Become a Member

Make a tax-deductible donation today

Boston Review Printing Note: For best printing results try turning on any options your web browser's print dialog makes available for printing backgrounds and background graphics.