In a new Future of the Humanities Project event series — Cultural Encounters: Books that Have Made a Difference — we embrace the other at a time when we have heard much about the ways in which national, religious, and cultural lines divide us as humans. In this series, we invite leading scholars across disciplines...
History is rife with artists who created inspiring work, but were considered questionable characters at best, and despicable at worst. Caravaggio, the renowned 16th-century Italian painter, was also known as a notorious criminal and a murderer. Immediately after the death of Klaus Kinski, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, his daughter revealed...
In a new Future of the Humanities Project event series — Cultural Encounters: Books that Have Made a Difference — we embrace the other at a time when we have heard much about the ways in which national, religious, and cultural lines divide us as humans. In this series, we invite leading scholars across disciplines...
The debate over censorship in the West is a complex tug-of-war. While freedom of expression is respected as a fundamental right, the question of whether and where to draw the line comes up time and again, and remains contentious. Advocates argue that censorship may be the only way to protect vulnerable minorities, new ones and...
In the Future of the Humanities Project event series — Cultural Encounters: Books that Have Made a Difference — we embrace the other at a time when we have heard much about the ways in which national, religious, and cultural lines divide us as humans. In this series, we invite leading scholars across disciplines to...
Established after World War II to prevent future world wars, the United Nations remains central to the pursuit of global harmony and stands as a symbol of democracy and human rights. However, in 2024, worldwide conflict and rising power tensions pose major challenges to multilateral cooperation, making the organization’s role in managing international peace and...
More than two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there is no reprieve from violence and suffering. As Kremlin troops again forge past Ukrainian borders, experts have warned of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to prolong the war indefinitely, ignoring casualties even on the Russian front. Some of Ukraine’s neighbors in Eastern Europe worry...
Age and physical ability have long played crucial roles in public service. Younger leaders are often perceived as energetic and productive, while older politicians are mostly viewed as wise and authoritative. However, in an era marked by deep divisions and a focus on performative rhetoric over bipartisan compromise, age and ability have become contentious in...
Democracy is often hailed as the most equitable form of government. Around the world, democracies are associated with fostering economic growth, improving public health, and delivering effective services. Nevertheless, within many democracies, corruption and undemocratic processes persist, blurring the line between democracy and autocracy. In an age of voter suppression, disinformation, and systemic inequalities, how...
In recent years, people interested in Christian social thought have begun to express reservations about the welfare state. Concerns have come from the left (for example, Frank Field and Maurice Glasman), from those supportive of a market economy, and from those whose political or economic philosophy cannot easily be categorized. Furthermore, interesting questions have been...