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Estate Planning - The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse

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Book Synopsis: Prominent observers complain that public discourse in America is shallow and unedifying. This debased condition is often attributed to, among other things, the resurgence of religion in public life. Steven Smith argues that this diagnosis has the matter backwards: it is not primarily religion but rather the strictures of secular rationalism that have drained our modern discourse of force and authenticity. Thus, Rawlsian “public reason” filters appeals to religion or other “comprehensive doctrines” out of public deliberation. But these restrictions have the effect of excluding our deepest normative commitments, virtually assuring that the discourse will be shallow. Furthermore, because we cannot defend our normative positions without resorting to convictions that secular discourse deems inadmissible, we are frequently forced to smuggle in those convictions under the guise of benign notions such as freedom or equality. Smith suggests that this sort of smuggling is pervasive in modern secular discourse. He shows this by considering a series of controversial, contemporary issues, including the Supreme Court’s assisted-suicide decisions, the “harm principle,” separation of church and state, and freedom of conscience. He concludes by suggesting that it is possible and desirable to free public discourse of the constraints associated with secularism and “public reason.” Read more

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Are you tired of shallow and unedifying public discourse? Look no further than "The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse". This thought-provoking book by Steven Smith challenges the notion that religion is solely responsible for draining modern discourse of force and authenticity. Instead, Smith argues that it is the restrictions imposed by secular rationalism that have made our conversations shallow and devoid of meaning. By excluding our deepest normative commitments, public discourse becomes a mere surface-level exchange, failing to address the real issues at hand.

One of the main culprits behind this superficiality is Rawlsian "public reason". While it aims to filter out appeals to religion and other comprehensive doctrines, it inadvertently halts meaningful discussions by disallowing the defense of strong normative positions. In order to bypass these restrictions, we are often forced to smuggle our convictions under seemingly innocent notions like freedom and equality.

In "The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse", Smith dives deep into the prevalence of smuggling in modern secular discussions. By examining controversial topics like assisted-suicide, the "harm principle", separation of church and state, and freedom of conscience, he unveils how our discourse has been compromised. But it doesn't end there. Smith also presents a compelling case for freeing public discourse from the constraints of secularism and "public reason".

If you're ready to embark on a journey towards reviving authentic and meaningful public discourse, "The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse" is your guiding light. Gain a fresh perspective and learn how to break free from the limitations imposed by secular rationalism. Don't miss out on this opportunity to engage in deeper and more profound conversations.

Click here to grab your copy of "The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse" now and unlock the true power of dialogue.

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this website