The Role of Philosophy in Modern Politics

September 19, 2008, 12:00pm - 1:15pm

At a time when political discourse is seemingly consumed with trivial matters, authors Susan Neiman and Michael Boylan remind us of the moral and ethical questions that once informed our politics and how they can help move us forward today. For example, what is a good society? What is evil? What are our obligations to one another and to our ideals? What can we do in our everyday lives to be more virtuous and to live honorably?

Through accessible prose and informative thought-experiments, in their books, Moral Clarity and The Good, the True, and the Beautiful, both Neiman and Boylan apply the tools of their trade—moral philosophy—to help us better understand and reflect upon what is at stake in our everyday political discourse.

Please join the Center for American Progress for a moderated book discussion with the authors and an examination of how abstract philosophy intersects with practical policy making.

Copies of Moral Clarity and The Good, the True, and the Beautiful will be available for purchase at the event.