Kissinger as Political Philosopher

by | Nov 29, 2015

Kissinger 1923–1968: The Idealist by Niall Ferguson. New York: Penguin Press, 2015. Hardcover, 986 pp., $39.95. Henry Kissinger has been called many things in his long, eventful public career, but “idealist” is not one of them. Until now. The first volume of the...

Schopenhauer and Postmodern Ethical Affectation

by | Nov 29, 2015

Pedro Blas González Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), the grouch of Danzig, never minced words. As a self-respecting philosopher, his allegiance was to truth. This is characteristic of genuine freethinkers throughout history, regardless of any unpleasant fruits that...

The Meaning of Capitalism

by | Nov 23, 2015

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1963Did you know that “capitalism” is a term coined by Karl Marx? Like most Marxist terms, it is loaded, and misleading to employ. So I never advocate or defend the abstraction called “capitalism”: rather, I favor a reasonably...

Our Wisest President

by | Nov 23, 2015

TO THE POINT: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1964Tardily, historians and the intelligent public are coming to realize that the most intelligent, as well as most learned, man ever to inhabit the White House was sardonic old John Adams. Unlike the “advanced thinkers” of his time,...

Why Caesar Was Not Called King

by | Nov 16, 2015

An interview with Mary Beard on the history and enduring myths of ancient RomeAfter two thousand years ancient Rome still helps define and understand the way we live our lives today. To ignore the Roman past is not just to turn a blind eye to history, but also to...