According to Yale Philosophy Professor Shelly Kagan, many of today's political issues are actually philosophical ones. Kagan says no one ever asks philosophers to weigh in.
Wouldn't a deeper understanding of the day's news -- including why people think what they think and hold the positions they hold -- be beneficial?
One reason for the lack of philosophical commentary in the media might be the relatively short attention spans many Americans have for absorbing information. Who has time for philosophy? And are political debates real outlets for philosophical argument?
GUESTS
- Shelly Kagan - Clark Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, and author of Death
- Michael Lynch - Professor of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut, and author of In Praise of Reason: Why Rationality Matters for Democracy
- Lida Maxwell - Associate Professor of Political Science, teacher of political philosophy at Trinity College, and author of Public Trials: Burke, Zola, Arendt, and the Politics of Lost Causes
Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.