About
The Public Philosopher unpacks the moral and philosophical issues lurking behind debates over public policy and domestic and foreign affairs. It’s not an academic exercise. Our national dialogue is impoverished through inattention to the role principles and values play in nearly every issue that matters.
We hear a lot from economists, scientists, lawyers and other experts. These people are great at explaining how we can solve big problems. But they’re not able to help us out on issues of right versus wrong or the pursuit of the good life. Yet these fundamental ethical questions come into play constantly as we debate issues like health care, immigration, abortion and gay marriage. Philosophy can’t give us the answers to these questions, but it can help us talk about them more clearly and productively.
Our approach is strictly non-partisan. Like anyone else, we here at The Public Philosopher have our own values and beliefs. We think it’s our job, however, to shine a light on the complex philosophical arguments at stake in public policy without acting as moral arbiter. The only way that the character of our national discussion will improve is if everyone, in some sense, learns to become a public philosopher.
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