I have not been able so far to give this book the attention it deserves, but now I'm ready. At present, I am re-reading both the Introduction and the first chapter, and I've been looking things up. When I am ready, you'll get my summaries with questions, comments, and wider reflections. Once more, I take the posture of a student to a teacher. I saw him at a recent conference with Professor Cross, but Deneen was practicing what he's been preaching, and joined one of his children at an event, so I didn't get to introduce myself. I can say that what he's arguing is deeply resonant with my own experience, my own biography, and my sense as a person with a profound disability that the anthropology of our whole world order is wrong.
Someone offered a blurb on the back that this book would have something to challenge both sides of our political culture, so to speak. I suppose that's true. But I come to this book having largely removed myself from politics, at least in terms of partisan or even ideological identification. I hope that being in this place allows me to ascertain what Deneen is saying, firstly, and then to perhaps be able to offer something constructive to him, and with him.
The sorting of ourselves into tribes and parties happens with a particular intensity, precisely when we believe that some person or group wants to harm us, to take away something that we love. When this happens, claims or arguments made by someone who is Other become almost impossible to regard seriously. I am able to say that my shields are down with Dr. Deneen. I believe that he wants what's best for me and all of us. Consequently, if any part of these reflections does venture into critique, it will be that of a friend, if that isn't too presumptuous to say. [I'm sure Deneen will be thrilled and honored that he's in the same category as Barack Obama.--ed.] Be nice. [You do accord the former president too much respect.--ed.] Perhaps so. Someone has to balance the tendency to accord him too little.
There are some potential readers who will find Deneen insufficiently critical of "The Left" (though I don't think that's a fair criticism, based upon what I have read). I think this particular criticism will be offered by those who have accepted their own skewed views, at least in some areas, as normative Catholic teaching.
He holds a profoundly conservative worldview, when considered apart from the political and ideological baggage with which "conservative" usually comes. It is definitionally conservative to aim at preserving and defending that which makes for human flourishing, and in that way, this is a conservative book. It will be a radical book in the ways he suggests that we must re-build, or build from scratch, institutions dedicated to the common good.
With that, read along with me, and I hope you enjoy it!
Someone offered a blurb on the back that this book would have something to challenge both sides of our political culture, so to speak. I suppose that's true. But I come to this book having largely removed myself from politics, at least in terms of partisan or even ideological identification. I hope that being in this place allows me to ascertain what Deneen is saying, firstly, and then to perhaps be able to offer something constructive to him, and with him.
The sorting of ourselves into tribes and parties happens with a particular intensity, precisely when we believe that some person or group wants to harm us, to take away something that we love. When this happens, claims or arguments made by someone who is Other become almost impossible to regard seriously. I am able to say that my shields are down with Dr. Deneen. I believe that he wants what's best for me and all of us. Consequently, if any part of these reflections does venture into critique, it will be that of a friend, if that isn't too presumptuous to say. [I'm sure Deneen will be thrilled and honored that he's in the same category as Barack Obama.--ed.] Be nice. [You do accord the former president too much respect.--ed.] Perhaps so. Someone has to balance the tendency to accord him too little.
There are some potential readers who will find Deneen insufficiently critical of "The Left" (though I don't think that's a fair criticism, based upon what I have read). I think this particular criticism will be offered by those who have accepted their own skewed views, at least in some areas, as normative Catholic teaching.
He holds a profoundly conservative worldview, when considered apart from the political and ideological baggage with which "conservative" usually comes. It is definitionally conservative to aim at preserving and defending that which makes for human flourishing, and in that way, this is a conservative book. It will be a radical book in the ways he suggests that we must re-build, or build from scratch, institutions dedicated to the common good.
With that, read along with me, and I hope you enjoy it!
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