Uncommon Knowledge: Professor Russell Muirhead

 

Politics as understood by Aristotle: An ennobling endeavor, central to all that makes us human. Herewith, an interview with a professor who still holds the Aristotlean view: Russell Muirhead of Dartmouth College.

Prof. Muirhead struck me as marvelous in a number of ways– I had all but forgotten what it was like to speak to a man who could drop Aristotle and Locke and the Founders into a conversation in a way that demonstrated he had not only mastered them but revered them. He also struck me surprising. He argues that we need more partisanship, not less. And although no conservative, he insisted that even in the Age of Trump the Constitution can constrain the destructive energies our leaders display while eliciting efforts on behalf of the common good.

A conversation with a dazzling mind, a master of the western canon of political thought…and a patriot.

P.S. If you have time just now only to sample the Uncommon Knowledge interview with Professor Russell Muirhead, not to take it in in full, here are 90 sweet seconds.


 

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  1. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    What a timely and incredibly interesting interview.

    • #1
  2. EugeneKriegsmann Member
    EugeneKriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    Brilliant! So much became clear in that brief interview. The clarity of his thoughts pierced through the fog of political war and returned a sense of sanity. If I have any complaint, it would be that the interview was far too short. But then, brevity is the soul of wit.

    • #2
  3. Jamie Lockett Member
    Jamie Lockett
    @JamieLockett

    Eugene Kriegsmann (View Comment):
    Brilliant! So much became clear in that brief interview. The clarity of his thoughts pierced through the fog of political war and returned a sense of sanity. If I have any complaint, it would be that the interview was far too short. But then, brevity is the soul of wit.

    His explanation of the electoral college should be extracted to reply to every whinge about how undemocratic it is from the left.

    • #3
  4. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    Swoosh. Touchdown! Home run!

    Shot-SCORE!!!

    Fantastic interview. Thank you .

    I need a written transcript.

    • #4
  5. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    I love the idea he presents so clearly of the durable, diverse, (there was another  D in there too [edit: dispersed]) Constitutional majority–that creates broad coalitions to preside and RULE over time.

    All else is simply winning and coercing, not ruling.

    Dr. Muir head is a very charitable man, and can put some light and hope into this season. I pray President Trump gets that sense of Madison and that the decorum of the presidency elevates him to rule, not simply win.

    • #5
  6. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    Jules PA (View Comment):
    Swoosh. Touchdown! Home run!

    Shot-SCORE!!!

    Fantastic interview. Thank you .

    I need a written transcript.

    A transcript can be found here (scroll down).

    • #6
  7. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Wow! Never heard of him.  Another damn book I have to buy.   There is hope for us and Peter, as usual, brings it out brilliantly.

    • #7
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